### Apple’s Smart Home Display: The HomePad Link
A recent discussion at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) may have shed light on the eagerly awaited smart home display, commonly known as the HomePad. While the device itself was not specifically referenced, the conversation surrounding a novel UI framework for App Intents has ignited speculation about its possible uses within a smart display environment.
#### Design Interactive Snippets
The WWDC session titled “[Design interactive snippets](https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2025/281/)” unveiled a new user interface framework designed to empower developers to produce compact, glanceable, and actionable widgets termed snippets. These snippets are meant to deliver context-sensitive information and swift actions within Siri, Spotlight, and Shortcuts. They are lightweight, interactive, and designed to hover at the top of the screen as overlays, making them perfect for quick retrieval.
While these snippets certainly serve iPhones and iPads well, their design attributes indicate a wider potential. Recent discoveries from iOS beta iterations and earlier reports regarding Apple’s homeOS device signify that these snippets may serve as a cornerstone for the forthcoming HomePad.
#### The HomePad Link
Reports from **9to5Mac** have brought forward internal mentions in the iOS 18.6 beta code that suggest a device functioning on homeOS, with an estimated screen resolution of around 2176 pixels in width, indicating a 7-inch display. This corresponds with the design guidelines stressed during the WWDC session, where Apple recommended developers maintain snippet heights within 340 points to reduce scrolling friction. Such a layout is especially fitting for devices viewed from a distance, like a smart display placed across a room.
Moreover, the session emphasized the significance of larger text sizes and greater color contrast for better readability from afar, further indicating that Apple is targeting a new device form with these recommendations. Developer Steve Troughton-Smith observed that the session appeared to be tailored for the HomePad, reinforcing the link.
#### Why Now?
The expected debut of the HomePad was reportedly postponed earlier this year due to pending updates for Siri. However, the software groundwork seems to be under development. With the new App Intents features and snippet design recommendations introduced as part of iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe 26, it appears Apple is readying developers for the eventual introduction of the HomePad. This forward-thinking strategy ensures that once the device is officially unveiled, there will be a strong framework of third-party app support available to enhance its capabilities.
In the meantime, snippets are scheduled to launch on current Apple devices this fall, but the amalgamation of new homeOS resources in beta, hints regarding screen dimensions, and the enigmatic nature of the WWDC session all indicate the imminent arrival of Apple’s long-anticipated smart home display. As everything aligns, the tech community looks forward to the official announcement of the HomePad and its functionalities within the smart home landscape.
