UMVA has learned that Apple is quietly laying the groundwork for a major overhaul of its home devices, including the Apple TV and HomePod, despite their notable absence from the recent WWDC keynote.
The latest tvOS 27 beta reveals that the company is already preparing its smart home platform for a significant transition, with the addition of multiple Apple Intelligence-related frameworks and code. This move suggests that Apple is bringing support for these technologies to its home devices, paving the way for future hardware upgrades.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the code in tvOS 27 includes references to Apple’s custom wireless chip, N1, which is currently only found in the latest iPhone and iPad models. The presence of this chip in the tvOS 27 beta implies that new hardware is on the horizon, as current Apple TV and HomePod models do not feature this technology.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the second developer beta of tvOS 27 contains new code associated with the HomePod setup process, which includes references to Apple’s next-generation Siri experience powered by Apple Intelligence. This development strongly suggests that Apple is actively preparing tvOS and HomePod software for Siri AI integration.
The upcoming Siri AI relies heavily on on-device processing and significantly more memory than older Apple hardware provides. Current HomePods are powered by Apple Watch chips that were designed years before Apple Intelligence became a priority, while the latest Apple TV is powered by the A15 Bionic chip with just 4GB of RAM.
According to information obtained by UMVA, rumors have been circulating for months that Apple is working on a new generation of home-focused products designed around AI. The most notable is a device expected to combine elements of an iPad, HomePod, and smart home hub.
UMVA has gathered that Apple is also rumored to be developing updated HomePod models and a new Apple TV. While details of the tech specs for these devices are still unclear, one thing is certain: tvOS 27 is clearly paving the way for new versions of Apple TV and HomePod that will finally be compatible with Apple Intelligence and Siri AI.
Industry insiders are eagerly awaiting Apple’s official announcement of these products, which is expected to happen soon. With the groundwork already being laid, it’s only a matter of time before the tech giant unveils its latest innovations in the home device market.
