Apple's Smart Display with HomePod Features and AI Integration Slated for 2025 Launch

Apple Intelligence-powered smart display set to launch next year

Pair of devices running new homeOS will spearhead yet another smart home push. Apple has never quite cracked the smart home market, and from time to time we hear about yet another push into the sector. According to one reliable leaker, the next such attempt will take place next year with the launch of two new products and an entirely new operating system. In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman predicts that the next Apple OS will be called homeOS, based on tvOS, and that this will run on a pair of new smart displays. While targeting a broadly similar market and both running homeOS, the two devices will be markedly different in their scope and pricing. The first to land, according to Gurman, will be what he describes as a "low-end smart display for using FaceTime and controlling home appliances." Codenamed J490, this could launch as early as next year. But the companion product, currently codenamed J595, is a far more ambitious and consequently more distant prospect. It combines an iPad-like display with a tabletop robotic limb and is intended to function as a smart home "command center." Gurman says it may cost $1,000 or more; he doesn't offer a timetable for its launch. It's worth noting that both of these devices have been predicted before. Gurman himself covered J595 in mid-August, while the lower-end display, occasionally identified as a magnetic wall-mounted unit, has been talked about for years. What is new is the involvement in all this of Apple Intelligence: The two products, Gurman notes, "are considered collaborations between Apple's artificial intelligence and home device hardware engineering groups." As the leaker points out, Apple's current home range-the Apple TV and HomePods-are not specced to run its AI platform, and it's looking for a solution. Apple Intelligence is crucially important to the company's mid- and long-term strategy, and it wants the platform to sit at the heart of customers homes, and lives.

It Looks Like a New Apple Smart Display Could Arrive in 2025

Apple could be gearing up to release a new smart display as early as 2025. On Sunday, Bloomberg reported that the tech giant has two new smart home display projects under current development. Dubbed J490 and J595, both are targeted at smart home users. Additionally, the report suggests Apple Intelligence will take center stage for the new devices. Both Smart Displays Likely Equipped With Apple Intelligence The main differences between the two products appear to be based around cost, availability, and functionality. The more budget-friendly option, J490, would be released sometime in 2025. Its primary uses would include making FaceTime calls and controlling smart appliances. Functionality for apps like Calendar, Notes, and, of course, Apple Home would also be included. J595, on the other hand, would be pricier and released at a later date. Confirmed features include a robotic arm and a larger display. However, Apple has yet to release a full feature list or indicate the benefits of the J595 project versus the J490. Unfortunately, that means we'll all need to be patient for a few more months until everything is a bit clearer. An Entirely New Operating System One thing that is clear, at least according to Bloomberg, is both products are predicted to ship with a brand new operating system called homeOS. This new operating system would be based around the current tvOS, with the two operating systems eventually merging. So, why the need for an entirely new operating system instead of just pushing a software update for their current smart home lineup? Mainly because Apple TV, HomePod and HomePod mini, aren't devices capable of running Apple Intelligence. These new entries to the lineup would solve that problem. It's also rumored that Apple may be including some type of magnetic system for attaching the new units to walls or other surfaces. Apple Attempts to Bring AI Home These new displays prove that Apple wants to outfit your smart home with AI. When, and in what capacity, is still yet to be determined. But make no mistake, Apple Intelligence is coming home. It'll be interesting to see how Apple plans to integrate its AI into the current smart home landscape. Perhaps what's more intriguing, though, is knowing that other smart home manufacturers will likely follow suit. That's an exciting prospect, and one that could usher in a few welcome changes to the overall smart home experience.

Apple's Long Rumored HomePod with Display and homeOS May Arrive in 2025

Both the smart displays will have Apple Intelligence at the core. For quite a long time now, there have been rumors that Apple is gearing up to launch its first-ever smart home display that would be a direct rival to the Echo Show, Google Nest, and Meta Portal. Now, the latest report suggests that Apple might launch not just one, but two smart home devices next year, powered by a brand-new operating system called 'homeOS'. In the latest Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman sheds some light on Apple's upcoming smart home devices. The report refreshes the claims that Apple's Home Hub device will be a blend of two devices- a HomePod and a smart display. Gurman mentioned that Apple will launch two smart display products. A lower-end smart display (codename J490) for FaceTime and controlling home appliances, and a higher-end device (codename J595) with a robotic arm and a larger iPad-like display. Both the smart displays will have Apple Intelligence at the core, helping Apple to introduce its AI suite of features to the home. Beyond AI, both smart home products will run on the new 'homeOS'. However, Gurman believes homeOS would be based on the existing tvOS, and Apple may ultimately combine the two platforms for every home device in its lineup. The lower-end smart display is expected to arrive as early as next year. While there's no detailed information available, the entry-level HomePod is likely to include an A18 chip for Apple Intelligence, a squared display, a FaceTime camera, and recognition for various hand gestures. It will also have a limited selection of app like run apps like Calendar, Notes, FaceTime, and Home for controlling the smart home appliances. Besides, there would be some third-party apps as well. On the other hand, the higher version of the HomePod with a robotic limb is likely to cost $1000 or more. It's anticipated that the higher-end model would serve as a video conferencing machine, allowing the members to move around during the meeting. Again, AI will be the heart of Apple's upcoming smart displays. Previously, we've also heard that Apple has tasked Foxconn to develop the casings, arms, and other key mechanical components for its tabletop robot. As of now, none of the Apple TV and HomePod models have the necessary hardware to support AI processing. According to Gurman, Apple's current home device hardware engineering team is working closely with the Apple Intelligence team to integrate the new Siri and other AI features into the new products. Of course, the upcoming HomePods will continue to support high-quality audio. While experimenting with prototypes, Apple has also toyed with the idea of making the device magnetic so it can attach to walls or sit atop the desk. Whatever the overall design may be, all the signs point to the fact that Apple will enter the smart display league in 2025.

Apple might launch its first-ever smart display next year with new HomeOS

That time may finally be coming, with new reports hinting that Apple could launch not one but two smart home devices as early as next year, powered by a brand-new operating system called "HomeOS." According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is currently working on two smart displays, each designed to bring Apple's AI into your home. The first, code-named J595, is the product we've been hearing about a lot in the past few months. It's reportedly a higher-end product that combines a large screen -- something like an iPad -- with a robotic arm. Our guess is it would enable the device to move or rotate its display to follow a user's voice or keep them in the camera frame.

Apple's smart display will ride atop AI on a new OS | Digital Trends

Apple has reportedly been working on a new kind of display-focused smart home device for a while now, and it seems it will arrive as early as next year. Now, Bloomberg reports that Apple is eyeing not one, but two such devices across different price points and that they will mark the era of a new AI-first software approach. Codenamed J595, this one is a high-end machine that features a large iPad-inspired screen and robotic limbs. The other one, which internally goes by the J490 identifier, is more like a conventional smart display -- think a screen slapped on a speaker base - that would predominantly serve as a FaceTime machine and smart home control hub. Recommended Videos Unlike the approach that Apple took with the Vision Pro, which was all about flexing the engineering muscles and imagining an entirely new approach to computing, the company's foray into the field of smart display will likely start at the lower end of the price spectrum, or specifically, the device codenamed J490. Now, the device won't exactly be unique. Amazon has been offering similar devices under the Echo Show label for a while now, and Google's own approach with the Nest Hub hasn't been too dissimilar. Where Apple stands a chance to stand out is the software ecosystem built around these devices. That secret sauce is AI, or in the brand's lexicon, Apple Intelligence. "The Apple Intelligence tools will be at the heart of both products, helping the company bring AI into the home," says the Bloomberg report. With the integration of AI at the center of the experience, Apple will reportedly rebadge the software, as well. It seems that just the way we got iPadOS forked from the iOS experience, the software bundle on the upcoming smart home devices will be branded as homeOS. It seems the hardware has been designed with user convenience in mind, allowing users to run essential apps like Calendar, Notes, and Home that not only offer a glance at important routine information but also a look at the status of connected devices. Moreover, homeOS will reportedly be optimized for intuitive control of your home appliances so that users can engage in adjustments and monitoring wherever necessary. The upcoming smart home devices are said to have been borne out of collaboration between Apple's AI and hardware engineering units. Bloomberg's report mentions that when the devices were in the prototype engineering stage, there were design concepts that envisioned these devices attaching to walls using a magnetic mount system. The report mentions an asking price of roughly $1,000 for one of the smart devices, which is quite steep. But it seems the silicon requirements to boot Apple Intelligence in all its glory could be one of the core reasons, coupled with a functional screen assembly and speaker gear, among others. It would be interesting, regardless, how exactly Apple is going to market these devices to smart home enthusiasts, and more importantly, convince them to part ways with a healthy few hundred dollars instead of relying on third-party solutions that embrace the Matter protocol. Maybe, we are going to hear the "seamless ecosystem integration" argument from Apple, once again.

Apple's rumored Apple Intelligence-powered smart displays could see it finally crack the smart home market

Apple's long-rumored smart-display-powered HomePod devices could have Apple Intelligence features at their core to help control your smart home. Mark Gurman, Bloomberg's Apple expert wrote in his Power On newsletter Sunday, 'Apple is taking another crack at the smart home market.' This time, we're expecting two smart display products akin to a HomePod with a screen, capable of running everything Apple Intelligence has to offer. The new devices have been in the pipeline for a while now with previous reports hinting at 'a tabletop device code-named J595 that combines a robotic limb with a large, iPad-like display.' But Gurman says Apple is also working on a 'low-end smart display' codenamed J490 aimed at using FaceTime and Apple Home control. The interesting thing about this report is not the products themselves, as we have been hearing about Apple's smart displays for a while now, but more so that 'Apple Intelligence tools will be at the heart of both products, helping the company bring AI into the home.' Gurman expects the J490 to launch as early as next year as a 'lower-end companion to the robotic device, which may cost $1,000 or more.' With a new product line comes a new operating system, and Gurman thinks Apple will call it homeOS. He claims tvOS from the Apple TV will be at the basis for homeOS, but expects both OS to 'ultimately get combined and run on every Apple home device.' Interestingly these smart display products are collaborations between Apple's artificial intelligence and home device hardware engineering teams, making it clear that Apple Intelligence is at the heart of these products. Gurman adds, 'The low-end smart display is designed to run apps like Calendar, Notes and Home, and will include an interface optimized for controlling home appliances and quickly seeing information.' These rumored Apple-Intelligence powered smart display products could usher in a very exciting future for Apple's idea of a home and give the company another crack at taking a large slice of the smart home market pie.

Report: HomePod with display and homeOS to launch next year with Apple Intelligence - 9to5Mac

In this weekend's Power On Newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman outlined some new details about Apple's future smart home products. We'll be getting two versions of a HomePod with display, and one of them will be launching as soon as next year. According to the report, we'll be getting a lower end smart display (codename J490), and a higher end device with a robotic arm and a larger display (codename J595). Both devices are slated to include support for Apple Intelligence, and also run a new operating system: homeOS. The new operating system might just be branding, however, as Gurman reports that tvOS will be the basis of homeOS, and he ultimately expects the two platforms to become combined. The lower end product described here isn't exactly new information. We exclusively reported many new details on this product earlier this week at 9to5Mac. Some of the highlights include an A18 chip for Apple Intelligence, a squarish display, a camera for FaceTime, as well as recognition for various hand gestures. As for the higher end product with a robotic arm, Gurman expects it to cost over $1000. Both of these smart display products will help Apple introduce Apple Intelligence to the home, as none of their current smart home lineup supports it, including the $299 HomePod. Gurman says that the home device hardware engineering group is collaborating closely with the artificial intelligence teams on these products. The report also details that the lower end smart display is going to run apps like Calendar, Notes, and Home. It'll also have an interface optimized for controlling home applications and quickly seeing information. It sounds like the home screen will be more focused on widgets, rather than apps. Are you excited for Apple's smart display products? Let us know in the comments.

Apple May Launch First iPad-Like Smart Home Accessory Next Year

Apple could release an iPad-like smart home accessory based on its homeOS platform as early as next year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman reports that the display will run Apple apps like Calendar, Notes, and Home, and will feature an interface "optimized for controlling home appliances and quickly seeing information." Apple's existing Apple TV and HomePod lineup already offer home hub functionality, but crucially lack the hardware to run AI models. In contrast, Apple Intelligence will be central to the new home accessory, which is actually a "lower-end companion" to a $1,000+ robotic device for the home, writes Gurman. Similar devices have been rumored for some time. Prototype designs are said to have resembled a HomePod with a screen (magnetically attaching to walls or sitting atop a desk), and an iPad-like display mounted on a robotic arm. Both accessories are said to be collaborations between Apple's AI and home device hardware engineering groups. Backend code discovered by MacRumors in January suggested that Apple was continuing work on a homeOS platform, as a variant of tvOS. Another code reference finding in June subsequently confirmed the existence of at least one unreleased home accessory. More recently, 9to5Mac has claimed that the lower-end smart home device features a "squarish display", an A18 chip, and a built-in camera for FaceTime. The device apparently supports AirPlay, is able to identify hand gestures from afar, and can tell one person apart from another for personalized requests. 9to5Mac says Apple could release the home product as early as next spring.

Apple's rumored smart display may arrive in 2025 running new homeOS

A high-end version with a robotic arm is expected to follow, and both will have Apple Intelligence, according to a new report. Apple is planning to debut a new operating system called homeOS with its long-rumored smart displays, the first of which is expected to arrive as soon as 2025, according to 's Mark Gurman. Reports of have been swirling for over a year, and said just this summer that Apple is working on a tabletop smart display that can tilt and rotate the screen for better viewing. In his latest report, Gurman says there are two versions in the works: a low-end display that will offer the basics, like FaceTime and smart home controls, and the high-end robotic variant that'll cost upwards of $1,000. We'll reportedly see the cheaper version first -- possibly next year -- followed by the high-end display. Gurman previously said the robotic smart display could be released in 2026 at the earliest. You won't have to wait for the premium model to get a taste of Apple's vision for home AI, though. According to Gurman, Apple Intelligence will be a key part of the experience for both devices. The new homeOS will be based on Apple TV's tvOS, he notes.

Apple is working on a smart display with robotic arm, report says

Apple's smart home products are about to become a lot more futuristic. This is according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who detailed the company's plans for the smart home market over the weekend. Apple is reportedly working on a new operating system called homeOS, as well as two smart displays. The more advanced of these will have a robotic limb, Gurman claims, and a large, "iPad-like" display. It might cost $1,000 or more, and it probably won't be ready very soon. But Apple is also reportedly working on a cheaper smart home display, which won't have the robotic arm, and will be intended mainly for controlling home appliances and using FaceTime. That one might arrive as early as 2025. Ultimately, the cheaper display might be a sort of a companion to the more advanced device, though details on how this could work are scarce. Of course, these devices will run Apple Intelligence, as Apple's idea is to bring AI features into the home. Apple's current lineup of smart home devices, such as HomePod and Apple TV, does not pack the necessary hardware to run AI. Apple recently launched its new flagship smartphones, the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro, with a strong emphasis on Apple Intelligence features. However, those features are mostly delayed while Apple irons out the kinks, and works out how they'll work in Europe and China, countries which have more stringent AI rules than the U.S. As far as homeOS goes, it will reportedly be based on the already existing tvOS, and the two operating system will ultimately be merged to become the operating system that powers all of Apple's smart home devices.

Apple's HomePod With Display To Come In High-End And Low-End Variants Next Year Running 'homeOS' For Apple Intelligence Features

It was recently reported that Apple is working on a new hybrid device that combines features from the HomePod and the Apple TV while housing a display that resembles the iPad. On the display front, it was coined that it would be a squash panel, unlike the iPad's rectangular display. It is now being reported that the company's new HomePod, which has a display running the homeOS, will launch next year and will be powered by the new Apple Intelligence features. Apple announced Apple Intelligence will iOS 18 back in June and the company is now expected to release the update for iPhone 15 Pro models and the entire iPhone 16 lineup. The update has some hardware requirements, which include having at least 8GB of RAM and possibly a faster chipset, at least the A17 Pro chip. In his new Power On newsletter, Mark from Bloomberg claims that Apple will launch the HomePod with a display next year, and the company's homeOS platform will power the device. The report states that the company is working on two smart device models: a lower-end model with a build number of J490 and a higher-end model with a build number of J595. Only the higher-end model is expected to feature a robotic arm, while the standard version will feature a display, which will likely be attached to the body of the smart device. Since both models will run homeOS under the hood, the company is also planning to add Apple Intelligence features to the mix, Apple is likely looking to add a dedicated software experience on the HomePod, and it will be the first time the company will add a display to its HomePod smart speaker. The device will act as a hub for all compatible devices that support HomeKit and Matter, allowing users to control each device through the smart speaker. Gurman reports that tvOS will be the base for homeOS and expects the two platforms to combine in the future. We can expect homeOS to feature a layout similar to tvOS, but exact details are scarce at this stage and the final word rests with Apple. The device was also rumored to feature a hefty price tag of a $1,000. Since the forthcoming device will feature Apple Intelligence features, we can expect the HomePod with a display to feature internals on par with the iPhone 16 models, at the very least, to power the new AI feature on the device. Do take the news with a grain of salt, as the final word rests with Apple. Do you think Apple will overcharge users for its upcoming smart speaker with a display?