As many who watched the WWDC keynote earlier this month noted, Apple didn’t say a single word about Apple TV or HomePod. Not surprisingly, neither device will benefit from any of the new Apple Intelligence features announced with iOS 27, including Siri AI.
However, the latest tvOS 27 beta suggests the company is already laying the groundwork for future hardware, which lines up with rumors of new HomePod and Apple TV models powered by more powerful chips.
Apple Intelligence code keeps showing up in tvOS 27
Since the first developer beta of tvOS 27, Macworld has been digging through the operating system’s code and has discovered signs that Apple is preparing its home devices for a major transition.
One of the biggest clues has been the addition of multiple Apple Intelligence-related frameworks and code. While Apple Intelligence is currently limited to iPhones, iPads, and Macs with compatible hardware, code in tvOS 27 suggests Apple is bringing support for those technologies to its smart home platform as well.
These additions are noteworthy because none of the current Apple TV or HomePod models support these features. Yes, tvOS shares a lot of code with iOS, but we also looked at tvOS 26, and most of the code related to Apple Intelligence wasn’t present in the previous version.
Macworld also found references to N1, Apple’s custom wireless chip for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, in the tvOS 27 betas. Previously, only iOS referenced this chip, as it is only found in the latest iPhone and iPad models. None of the current Apple TV or HomePod models feature the N1 chip, which suggests that the code is related to new hardware.
The new Siri AI could be coming to HomePod and Apple TV.
Foundry
Beta 2 references HomePod with Siri AI
Now, the second developer beta of tvOS 27 adds another intriguing piece to the puzzle.
New code associated with the HomePod setup process includes references to Apple’s next-generation Siri experience powered by Apple Intelligence. While the code does not reveal exactly how these features will work, it suggests that Apple is actively preparing tvOS and HomePod software for Siri AI integration.
That’s significant because, once again, Siri AI isn’t currently available on any HomePod or Apple TV model.
Siri on Apple TV could be getting a massive upgrade with the next generation of devices.
Foundry
Siri AI relies heavily on on-device processing and significantly more memory than older Apple hardware provides. Current HomePods are powered by Apple Watch chips that were designed years before Apple Intelligence became a priority, while the latest Apple TV is powered by the A15 Bionic chip with just 4GB of RAM.
For months, rumors have suggested that Apple is working on a new generation of home-focused products designed around AI. The most notable is the so-called “HomePad,” a device expected to combine elements of an iPad, HomePod, and smart home hub.
At the same time, Apple is also rumored to be developing updated HomePod models and a new Apple TV. An internal build of iOS 26 that was leaked last year includes references to all of these products.
Details of the tech specs for these devices are still unclear, but one thing is certain: tvOS 27 is clearly paving the way for new versions of Apple TV and HomePod that will finally be compatible with Apple Intelligence and Siri AI. Now it’s just a matter of time before Apple officially announces these products.
