Apple is reportedly close to releasing a smart home display that would let users control appliances, video chat, and interact with apps via AI, according to sources familiar with the project, reports Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who has more info about this device.
The new info is that this new product could be announced as early as March 2025 (an M4 MacBook Air is rumoured around this time too), this wall-mounted device, is known internally as “J490.”
Apple CEO Tim Cook has reportedly made this device a priority, encouraging design and engineering teams to bring it to market after three years of development.
A person with knowledge of the project said the device will highlight Apple Intelligence and feature a touch interface similar to the Apple Watch and the iPhone’s StandBy mode.
However, users are expected to rely mostly on Siri and AI voice commands to navigate it. Knowing how useless the current version of Siri is, this device likely will run the revamped Siri powered by Apple Intelligence in the spring.
Physically, the display will have a roughly 6-inch screen with a camera, internal speakers, and a rechargeable battery. It’s designed to look like a small iPad but with a thicker frame and will be available in silver and black. Apple also plans to sell accessories like wall mounts and bases with extra speakers for different home placements, such as in the kitchen or on a desk.
The device will work as a control centre for various smart appliances, tapping into Apple’s HomeKit system, which connects to hundreds of third-party gadgets like lights, thermostats, and security cameras.
Alongside typical apps for browsing, notes, music, and news, the display will support video calls via FaceTime, intercom features, and a new operating system, “Pebble,” that automatically adjusts settings based on the user’s proximity.
The product will look to compete with Amazon’s Echo Show and Google’s Nest Hub. An upcoming premium model possibly reaching around $1,000 US ($1,394 CAD roughly), is said to include a robotic arm that can move the display around. At this insane price, it better be able to make you breakfast and change your kid’s diaper.
For added privacy, Apple is emphasizing security features like alerts and camera monitoring and has discussed creating its own line of smart accessories, including a security camera.
If Apple wants customers to put one of these smart displays into every home, it needs to offer bundle pricing or make it somewhat affordable. More importantly, Siri has to work perfectly from day one, because if it doesn’t, then people will just ditch the darn device. Imagine if Apple brought back wireless routers again and the smart home device could help make up a mesh Wi-Fi network in the home? Now that would be an even more compelling reason to buy one.
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