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It appears that Apple could be making another push into the smart home market, with two versions of ‘homeOS’ devices reportedly on the cards. That’s according to Mark Gurman’s Bloomberg Power On newsletter, who states that the tech giant is aiming to ramp up its smart home efforts by integrating Apple Intelligence into the purported new gadgets.
The report suggests that a lower-end smart display (codename J490) and a higher-end device featuring a robotic arm and a larger screen (codename J595) are in development, with one of them potentially launching as early as next year.
The device may blend the functionalities of an iPad with advanced robotics, and it’s expected to carry a hefty price tag of around $1,000 or more. Gurman reports that tvOS will be the foundation for homeOS, and he expects that the two platforms will eventually merge into one.
The smart display is said to reportedly focus on FaceTime capabilities and home automation, essentially functioning as a long-awaited HomePod with a screen.
Is Apple returning to the smart home device market?
Although Apple’s track record in the smart home market has been mixed, the launch of homeOS and these new HomePod devices could mark a major turning point.
In October 2023, ReadWrite reported that Apple’s next Homepod would come with a new built-in display. A leaked photo showed a HomePod with a significantly larger display on top compared to the current model’s small LED panel.
While the size was difficult to precisely gauge from the lone image, previous rumors suggested it could be around seven inches diagonally. It looks to have an LCD display on the top, which is a liquid-crystal display or some other electronically modulated optical device.
According to reports, the main purpose of the lower-end model is to display notifications from your iPhone using widgets, similar to the Apple Watch. It is expected to run apps like Calendar, Notes, and Home. It seems like the home screen will be more focused on widgets, rather than apps.
Featured image: Apple image of previous HomePod device
