tvOS 17.4 Reference Codes Strange homeOS

tvOS 17.4

Code uncovered by MacRumors in the tvOS 17.4 first beta indicates that Apple is still working on "homeOS" in the background.

When the media brought attention to the use of "homeOS" in two job advertising from June 2021, Apple removed the term. Since then, homeOS has not been seen again, with the exception of the initial tvOS 17.4 beta.

When the 2018 HomePod was released, it was running a customized version of iOS 11. However, with the release of HomePod Software 13.4, Apple switched to using the tvOS platform for the HomePod. tvOS and HomePod software may someday be combined by Apple as part of its efforts to create a larger smart home presence; it may even rebrand it as homeOS.

According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, Apple is actively developing a new smart home display that would take on the Echo Show, Meta Portal, and Google Nest Hub. According to reports, the smart home display resembles an iPad and has a camera for FaceTime chats. It is probably intended to be mounted on the wall and act as a hub for all of the smart home's accessories. In addition, the gadget might have speakers akin to Apple's HomePods, and should it be released, it might join Apple's HomePod collection.

Additionally, there have been reports of a HomePod that will be released as early as 2024 and will include a display on top of the device. homeOS may be a reference to the There could be an iPad-style home hub in development or a HomePod with a display, but it might be neither of these.

Another hint regarding Apple's development on a HomePod with a screen comes from the SharePlay feature for the HomePod that was implemented in tvOS 17.4 beta 1. With this update, the Apple Music app on the TV now has a QR code that can be scanned by other users to initiate a SharePlay session directly on the device. A HomePod with a display might have a comparable feature.

Along with iOS 17.4, tvOS 17.4 is anticipated to be released to the public in March. This release window coincides with Apple's occasional spring event. Given that there have been reports of an iPad redesign arriving in late March Given the mention of homeOS in tvOS 17.4 and the potential for an impending event, it might not be too long before we find out more about Apple's homeOS intentions.