Apple is reportedly working on a brand-new operating system codenamed Charismatic, which could eventually launch as the long-rumored “homeOS.” This platform is expected to power upcoming Apple hardware such as a smart home hub planned for 2026 and a tabletop robot in 2027, marking a significant expansion of Apple’s software ecosystem into new categories.
According to Bloomberg, Apple is designing Charismatic as a hybrid system that draws on elements of tvOS and watchOS. The operating system is said to feature a hexagonal grid of apps, customizable clock faces, and interactive widgets, making it more flexible than Apple’s existing platforms. Multi-user support is expected to be one of its defining features, enabled by front-facing cameras capable of recognizing individual faces and tailoring the layout, app selection, and settings for each household member. Earlier references to homeOS have appeared in tvOS betas and even Apple job listings, suggesting this project has been in development for several years.
Apple’s integration of Siri will be central to how Charismatic works. Unlike iOS or macOS, which rely heavily on touch and keyboard input, this system will lean on voice control as the primary interface while still supporting touch for navigation. Apple is reportedly preparing a suite of core applications such as Calendar, Camera, Music, Reminders, and Notes, suggesting the platform will balance entertainment with productivity. The design appears to position Charismatic as both a lifestyle hub and a daily companion, expanding on previous reports that Apple has been working on new smart home accessories and even a HomePod with a built-in display.
This rumored operating system comes at a time when Apple is investing heavily in expanding its ecosystem beyond its traditional devices. tvOS powers Apple TV, watchOS drives the Apple Watch, and iOS and macOS anchor the company’s mobile and desktop experiences. Charismatic could serve as the missing piece for Apple’s smart home ambitions, acting as the software layer that unifies devices like HomePod, Apple TV, and potential new hubs into a single ecosystem. Recent reports already suggest Apple is preparing a smart home hub and that its arrival has been delayed until late 2025, hinting that Charismatic may be designed to power those devices at launch.
Beyond the home hub, Bloomberg reports that Charismatic will also play a role in future hardware, including a tabletop robot that could debut in 2027. This device would likely showcase more advanced uses of Apple Intelligence and Apple’s robotics research, allowing Charismatic to extend into areas like home monitoring, security, and interactive companionship. If successful, Apple could establish an entirely new product category powered by its own operating system, much like it did with watchOS a decade ago.
If the reported timeline holds, Apple could preview Charismatic within the next year as part of its broader roadmap for smart home hardware. A developer beta could arrive first, giving time for third-party developers to adapt their apps before consumer devices launch. This mirrors Apple’s approach with earlier platforms, where software frameworks were introduced well before the hardware went on sale.
