iOS 26 beta leak hints at unexpected name for Apple’s ‘HomePad’

Apple has a new Home product in the works that’s been reported on widely, and which I’ve been calling ‘HomePad.’ But a leak in iOS 26 beta 4 reveals Apple may have a different product name planned for the forthcoming HomePod with a touch screen.

New leak refers to ‘HomePod’ product with a screen; possibly the first ‘HomePod Touch’?

Today iOS 26 beta 4 arrived, bringing a refined Liquid Glass design, new CarPlay wallpapers, and a lot more.

The new software also, it seems, brought a fresh leak about Apple’s forthcoming Home product.

As discovered by Juli Clover at MacRumors, iOS 26 uses some very curious language when referencing a particular location-related HomePod setting. It says:

Your HomePod won’t be able to show you the local weather, time, or respond to Siri requests about your area.

The word “show” is the important part.

Why? Because currently no HomePod product has a screen that can show anything.

But Apple’s new, and reportedly delayed HomePad will when it launches—currently expected in spring 2026.

Except according to this leak, the ‘HomePad’ name isn’t happening after all.

Instead, it seems the new product will use the current ‘HomePod’ branding.

My guess? Apple plans to call it ‘HomePod Touch.’

Using ‘HomePod Touch’ would continue the trend of paying homage to the iPod with its music-focused HomePod line.

And for a device that’s expected to be, basically, a HomePod with a screen, ‘HomePod Touch’ makes a lot of sense.

What do you think of the potential HomePod Touch branding? Let us know in the comments.

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