Apple is expected to launch a new HomePod next year. Previous reports have suggested several key details about the purported smart speaker. It is tipped to come with a large touch-supported screen supplied by China’s Tianma firm. An earlier leak had suggested this feature, and now a new report has made similar claims. Other details about the smart speaker have surfaced online over the past few months as well. The launch timeline of the third-gen HomePod has been hinted at earlier, too.

New Apple HomePod Display

A report by SE Daily claims that the third-generation HomePod from Apple will likely sport a 6-inch to 7-inch OLED display. The Cupertino-based tech giant will use OLED panels by Tianma. An earlier leak had claimed that the upcoming HomePod model will get a 7-inch panel from Tianma. 

The older had leak claimed that Tianma would likely provide display panels for Apple’s iPad models in the coming years. Tianma is an electronic technology company which is popular for manufacturing displays for Android smartphones.

Previous reports suggested that an upcoming HomePod speaker unit could be powered by an A18 chipset and have support for Apple Intelligence. It has been tipped to carry a square display instead of a rectangular one, which is primarily seen in tablets.

The HomePod is expected to be equipped with a customisable lock screen with multiple clock faces. It may have an in-built camera to support video conferencing apps like FaceTime. The camera may be able to recognise hand gestures, that could be used to control the smart speaker.

Initial reports claimed that the third generation of Apple’s HomePod could be unveiled in the first half of 2025. A recent report suggests that the production of the speaker may not begin until the third quarter of 2025. This delay is reportedly a result of the company continuing to work on the software for the smart speaker. It may launch by the end of 2025.

Portronics Beem 500 smart LED projector was launched in India on Thursday. It comes with a 1080p Full-HD native resolution and support for up to 8K Ultra-HD where supported. The projector arrives with pre-loaded OTT apps like Hotstar, Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube. It can project up to a 120-inch display and is equipped with inbuilt 16W speakers. It has an “Intelligent Screen Alignment” feature to detect the screen area and activate auto keystone adjustment and automatic focus support.

Portronics Beem 500 Price in India

The price of Portronics Beem 500 is set at Rs. 39,999 in India. The projector can be purchased in the country via Amazon, Flipkart, the Portronics India website and select offline stores. It is offered in black and white colour options and comes with a 12-month warranty, the company has confirmed.

Portronics Beem 500 Specifications, Features

Portronics Beem 500 has a 6700 Lumens LED lamp, which is said to beam sharp images and vibrant colours at high levels of brightness. It supports 1080p Full-HD native resolution and can be scaled to support 8K Ultra-HD resolution. The projector can beam from a 40-inch to up to a 120-inch display. 

Connectivity options for the Portronics Beem 500 include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI, Ethernet, AUX and two USB ports. It comes with inbuilt 16W speakers and support for voice-enabled remote control. It is powered by an Amlogic T972 chipset, paired with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard storage.

Portronics Beem 500 is pre-loaded with OTT apps like Hotstar, Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube. It has an “Intelligent Screen Alignment” feature to detect the display area and enable auto keystone realignment and automatic focus support. The Smart Obstacle Detection feature, on the other hand, ensures that the “projector identifies any obstacles” between itself and the projection wall or screen and “adjusts the imagery” to ensure a clear and optimal display.