APPLE HOMEPOD PRO
Field
UI/UX, Branding &
Identity, Product Design
Duration
2 Months
2024
Smart Home AI, enhanced audio
OVERVIEW
Brief
Challenge
How might we optimize spatial audio for Home devices and advance Siri’s functionality to enrich the overall smart-home experience?
Opportunity
Create a Smart Home system that improves upon the Apple eco system, while also integrating additional features
Tools used
OVERVIEW
Background
With the release of the Home Pod (2nd Gen) in 2023, Apple has yet to update its Home Pod line since. As a side project, I set out to reimagine the Home Pod Pro by blending my expertise in UI/UX design, 3D modeling, and Visual design with the transformative potential of AI. My goal was to honor the Home Pod's best-loved features—like its immersive spatial audio and seamless Apple Home integration—while introducing “Apple Intelligence” capabilities that anticipate user needs and simplify daily routines. The result is a fresh, forward-looking interpretation that feels like a natural evolution of the original: familiar yet unmistakably advanced.
TIMELINE
Process
Research
1
Inspiration
Existing Competitors
Main Focus
2
Ideation
Moodboard
Sketching
Low-FI & High-FI
3
Final Design
Finalized renders
User interactions
Research
Inspiration
Inspired by the HomePod (2nd Gen) and Apple’s legacy of seamless design, I set out to reimagine what a next-generation smart speaker could be. This concept blends my background in UI/UX, 3D modeling, and visual design with the evolving potential of AI. Building on the HomePod’s core strengths—spatial audio and deep HomeKit integration—I explored ways to enhance functionality and user experience. With the integration of features such as Apple Intelligence, the overall design for the HomePod Pro acts as a revitalized and refreshing direction for the product line, envisioned for a potential 2026 rollout.
RESEARCH
Existing Competitors
In designing the HomePod Pro concept, I carefully considered the broader smart speaker market, where devices like the Amazon Echo Studio, Sonos Era 300, and Google Nest Audio have pushed the boundaries of spatial sound, voice assistance, and multi-room functionality. Analyzing these competitors helped identify key areas for improvement and differentiation within Apple's own lineup. Rather than replicating existing solutions, I focused on how Apple could reassert its unique identity through thoughtful hardware refinement, intuitive UI/UX, and ecosystem-first innovation. This awareness of the market landscape informed critical decisions in the design process, ultimately guiding the creation of a product that feels both distinctly Apple and firmly future-facing.
RESEARCH
Main Focus
In developing the HomePod Pro concept, I focused on three key areas: refined design, AI integration, and smart home connectivity. My goal was to revamp the HomePod’s form and presence while staying true to Apple’s iconic design language. I also explored how AI could subtly enhance the user experience—improving audio responsiveness and streamlining smart interactions—without overshadowing the product’s simplicity. Lastly, I worked on strengthening HomeKit integration to create a smoother, more intuitive smart home experience. These three pillars helped guide my design process and ensure the concept feels both familiar and forward-thinking.
Refined Design
Revamp current design while also staying loyal to Design language
AI Integration
Integrating AI features for improved audio/Smart home experinence
Smart Home
Improved HomeKit interactions for smart home systems
FINAL DESIGN
User Interactions
In developing the HomePod Pro concept, I focused on three key areas: refined design, AI integration, and smart home connectivity. My goal was to revamp the HomePod’s form and presence while staying true to Apple’s iconic design language. I also explored how AI could subtly enhance the user experience—improving audio responsiveness and streamlining smart interactions—without overshadowing the product’s simplicity. Lastly, I worked on strengthening HomeKit integration to create a smoother, more intuitive smart home experience. These three pillars helped guide my design process and ensure the concept feels both familiar and forward-thinking.
Dynamic interactions
I used the Dynamic Island to streamline access to HomeKit features, placing a smart control hub in the bottom-left corner of the UI. This allows quick, fluid access to lighting, temperature, and more—designed to feel seamless and intuitive within the overall HomePod experience.
Apple Intelligence
Integrated Apple Intelligence to work alongside HomeKit, offering users proactive assistance with daily tasks at home. By tapping into models like GPT-4o (with limited access), the system enhances voice interactions, automates routines, and delivers smarter, more context-aware support—all while staying privacy-focused and intuitive.
More Work
