Apple is working on something new that goes beyond the usual lineup of iOS, macOS, and watchOS. The company is developing a fresh operating system called Charismatic, designed for its next wave of artificial intelligence devices.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman was the first to report on Charismatic OS, describing it as the software foundation that will eventually power Apple’s long-rumored tabletop robot. Both are expected to arrive around 2027, but the OS itself is the real story here.
Charismatic is not about apps and screens. It is about how a device behaves when you talk to it, when you look at it, and when it looks back. The system is being designed to handle motion, gestures, and expressions, giving Apple’s upcoming hardware a sense of presence instead of feeling like another static assistant. Apple wants the software to make interactions smoother and, in its own way, a little more human.
The robot that will showcase Charismatic OS first is rumored to be a tabletop companion, somewhere between a smart hub and a personal assistant. Unlike HomePod, which stays rooted in place as a voice-only device, this robot is expected to move subtly, tilt its display, and react with lifelike expressions. Its role is not only to answer questions or control smart home gadgets but to create a kind of social presence in the room. Charismatic OS will be what makes those movements and reactions feel natural rather than mechanical.
The choice of name says a lot. Charismatic hints at a shift in tone, moving away from purely functional operating systems to something that feels alive. Instead of just processing commands, Charismatic OS is being built to adapt to routines, learn preferences, and react in ways that do not feel scripted. It is also expected to tie deeply into Apple Intelligence, linking everything from Siri and FaceTime to iCloud so that the whole experience feels connected.
Apple has reportedly slowed down the hardware launch to give Charismatic more time. That decision matches the company’s history of holding back until the software experience is polished. Just as visionOS opened the door to spatial computing, Charismatic could do the same for AI devices that live in the home. But instead of strapping on a headset or staring at a screen, users would interact through natural conversation and movement.
If it all comes together, Charismatic OS may become Apple’s most ambitious system since iOS. And paired with its expressive tabletop robot, Apple could be preparing a moment where AI stops feeling like a voice in a box and starts feeling like a presence in the room.
(via Bloomberg)
