No, Apple won’t offer a $199 HomePod under the Beats brand

According to a new rumor, Apple is working with MediaTek, a Taiwanese fabless semiconductor company, to introduce a $199 HomePod (the current model is $349). However, per the rumor, it won’t be called a HomePod, but will use the Beats brand. (Apple bought Beats Electronics almost four years ago for $3 billion.)

However, the Sellers Research Group (that’s me) says there’s zero chance that this will happen. I’m dubious that Apple will offer a “lower end” HomePod, though perhaps the tech giant might slice $50 off the price. I’m also less inclined to think that Apple will introduce a smaller speaker than that the tech giant will introduce an even higher end model.

I also predict that, eventually, Apple will drop the Beats branding entirely and go with the Apple brand/logo on all its products.

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