iOS 26 beta 4 drops major clue about Apple's first HomePod with a display
Over the past few years, several reports have circulated about a HomePod with an iPad-like interface but in a more compact, square form factor. With Siri integration at its core, the device is expected to act as a central hub for HomeKit and Matter smart home ecosystems.Meanwhile, other rumors also suggest that this new HomePod with a display will offer more than just smart speaker functionality. It is expected to feature a 6-to-7-inch touchscreen and run lightweight versions of Apple's core apps such as Weather, Calendar, Apple Music, Photos, and Apple News. It would also likely provide visual feedback for Siri queries and serve as an interactive control panel for home automation, media playback, and daily updates.However, there have been several reports mentioning the delay in the launch. According to reports, Apple has been pushing back the release of HomePod with display multiple times, primarily due to challenges with the Apple Intelligence platform and Siri's readiness to support a visual interface effectively. These software-related setbacks have reportedly shifted the expected launch from the originally speculated 2025 timeline to a more likely window in early 2026.- Ends
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Samsung's FY26 Q1 exports fall 20% as PLI benefits end; Apple, Dixon may be next
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
PLI Unplugged, Samsung Exports Losing Charge
Samsung's exports of smartphones slumped by almost a fifth year-on-year in the first quarter of FY26, likely because the South Korean major is no longer eligible for benefits under the smartphone production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme since April. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Samsung's exports of smartphones slumped by almost a fifth year-on-year in the first quarter of FY26, likely because the South Korean major is no longer eligible for benefits under the smartphone production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme since to industry executives, without the PLI incentives, Samsung may have lost export competitiveness and thus recalibrated its export plans. And the same could happen to Apple and Dixon Technologies — two other major beneficiaries of the scheme — after March 2026.'The combined effect of all three — who have been the flagbearers of the PLI scheme and local manufacturing and exports — has the potential to derail India's bid to become a smartphone manufacturing hub for global markets,' an industry executive said, asking not to be identified. Samsung exported smartphones worth about $950 million in the June quarter, according to industry is down from $1.17 billion a year earlier and $1.2 billion in the smartphone PLI, India suffers a manufacturing cost differential, or disability, of 10% compared with Vietnam, and 15% with China, experts with PLI benefits of 4-6%, there was some disability, but still, brands and manufacturers were diversifying production and increasing exports from India considering the geopolitical situation, they being able to compete against the likes of China and Vietnam would be disastrous at a time all three countries are trying to get a favourable trade deal with the US, and more companies are examining a China+1 strategy amid continuing geopolitical tensions, experts industry has been sounding out the government for an extension of the smartphone PLI scheme beyond FY26 to sustain the momentum of growing exports, which zoomed to $24.1 billion in FY25, from just $200 million in the government does accept the competitive disadvantage without the scheme incentives, it is yet to take a call on an extension. 'The scheme tenure was fixed, and we have to see the legalities if it can be extended or not. But we do intend to support the industry,' an official told ET on condition of recently launched a Rs 22,919-crore components incentive scheme to build on the success of the smartphone PLI scheme and increase local value this latest initiative could suffer if manufacturers back off on further investments in local production owing to disabilities compared to competing geographies, experts the PLI years, Samsung increased smartphone exports from India to $4.4 billion in FY25, from $1.2 billion in company is seeking incentives under the scheme in the current fiscal in lieu of the second year, when it did not get them as it failed to meet the targets. People familiar with the matter said Samsung faced Covid-related issues in the second year of the scheme, that is, FY22.
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
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