iOS 16 Beta Contains References to Unreleased HomePod Model

Apple rolled out iOS 16 beta 1 yesterday to the developers and the folks over at 9to5Mac have already dug up references to an unreleased HomePod in the beta’s source code, hinting a new HomePod model could be coming soon.

According to the source, this unknown HomePod model is labeled internally as “AudioAccessory6,” while the HomePod mini is “AudioAccessory5” and the original HomePod is “AudioAccessory1.” Beyond the code, however, there is not much information available about what to expect from the next HomePod at this point.

Veteran Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has previously noted that Apple is working on a new HomePod, which it plans to release in late 2022 or early 2023.

Unfortunately, the codes do not reveal any other details about this unreleased HomePod, but they do make it clear that iOS 16 is ready to support a new HomePod model.

The findings in the iOS 16 code corroborate Kuo’s report since any devices released within this time frame will run the iOS 16 software.

An earlier report by Bloomberg also claimed that Apple has been experimenting with HomePod prototypes combined with the Apple TV into a single product.