Apple is reportedly on the cusp of introducing a significant new contender in the smart home arena. This long-rumored smart home hub could redefine how users interact with their connected environments. While whispers of Apple’s deeper foray into home technologies have circulated for years, the latest intelligence from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman points to a potential unveiling by the close of this year. This initial “lower-end version” is expected to serve as an entry point, hinting at a broader strategy for advanced smart home solutions down the line.
This forthcoming smart home hub is anticipated to feature a square-shaped display, potentially a 7-inch screen with noticeable bezels, and a camera positioned at the top. Designed to function as a central command unit for Siri and HomeKit capabilities, it will emphasize video applications like FaceTime and integrate seamlessly with various Apple apps. Powering this experience will be an entirely new operating system dubbed ‘homeOS,’ and critically, the device is expected to include a built-in rechargeable battery, suggesting a degree of portability or flexible placement within the home.
The journey to this launch hasn’t been without its hurdles, primarily stemming from challenges with Apple’s ambitious AI initiatives. The device’s deep reliance on Siri and App Intents, foundational components of Apple Intelligence, reportedly caused significant delays. Technical issues surrounding their integration into iOS updates pushed back the timeline, with new Siri features now slated to roll out “in the coming year.”
Despite these setbacks, Apple has clearly accelerated its efforts, evidenced by an internal testing program initiated earlier this year, where select employees are already putting the device through its paces. This internal deployment indicates Apple is making considerable progress towards a 2025 release, moving past earlier speculation of a 2026 launch.
While this initial smart home hub will mark a significant stride, Apple’s long-term vision extends even further. Gurman also details a more advanced smart home display in development, one featuring a robotic arm and a truly “unique AI personality.” However, this more sophisticated device has also faced delays and is not expected for another year or two, reflecting its status as a “major priority at Apple.” It appears that to meet the expedited 2025 timeline for the first hub, Apple has judiciously pulled some of the bolder features, which may resurface in subsequent models.
(via Bloomberg)
