Apple is reportedly preparing to launch its HomePod smart speaker, with a release date scheduled for 2025.The most significant upgrade to the HomePod is the addition of a 7-inch touchscreen display.The display is expected to provide a more interactive user experience and better compete with products likes the Amazon Echo Show.Apple is rumoured to have partnered with Chinese manufacturer Tianma for exclusive supply of the 7-inch LCD panels.By using LCD instead of OLED technology, Apple could focus on cost reduction as it aims to offer broader consumer affordability.The HomePod is also expected to include the A18 chip used in the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, enhancing its processing capabilities.The A18 chip could potentially enable support for advanced AI applications, such as natural language processing and real-time translation.Unconfirmed reports suggest that the device will also have at least 8GB of RAM.Apple's revamped HomePod aims to provide a unique combination of power, functionality and interconnectivityPricing and feature differentiation will ultimately determine its success.