In preparation for HomePod with screen, Apple has tested tvOS 17 on iPad mini 6

CTOnews.com, October 28, according to foreign technology media 9to5Mac, Apple is testing and running the tvOS system for future HomePod products with screens on the customized iPad mini prototype.

Apple released updates to iOS 17. 2 Beta 1 and tvOS 17. 2 Beta 1 yesterday. By digging into the relevant systems, the media found evidence that Apple is testing tvOS on the iPad mini.

CTOnews.com Note: every firmware released by Apple clearly identifies the devices that can be supported. In the latest version of tvOS, compatible Apple TV models and HomePod are listed, and iPad mini 6 devices are also supported.

The media once again dug deep into Xcode 15, found hidden support for iPad mini 6 in tvOS 17 SDK, and updated the driver that added iPad mini 6.

The media believes that Apple's upcoming HomePod with a screen is close to the size of the iPad mini.

Apple prototype collector Kosutami shared an unreleased picture of the HomePod this morning with a large LCD screen at the top of the speaker, which is much larger than the existing HomePod screen, CTOnews.com reported. In addition, Kosutami shared some pictures of HomePod components.

Guo Mingyi revealed in March that Apple is expected to launch a new HomePod with about 7-inch panels in 2024, with Tenma as the exclusive panel supplier. It is important to note that this is the first time that Tianma has entered Apple's supply chain.

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Guo Mingyi: Apple is expected to launch a 7-inch HomePod speaker next year, and Tianma will enter the supply chain and supply it exclusively for the first time.

"the new Apple HomePod prototype has been exposed with a large LCD screen at the top."