Apple is Working on a Product for the Smart Home with Display: Here’s What to Expect Next Year
After releasing the HomePod 2 in early 2023, several rumors have circulated about what’s next for Apple’s HomePod lineup. Some rumors suggest that Apple is venturing into home robotics, while others indicate that the company is working on a more traditional smart display designed to integrate with Apple’s ecosystem. This smart display is expected to be more affordable than an iPad and could bring Apple Intelligence to the smart home market.
Support for Apple Intelligence
The upcoming smart home product from Apple, internally referred to as “HomeAccessory” under the code name J490, is expected to feature the A18 chipset. This would make it the first Apple smart home device to support the full range of Apple Intelligence features, including the new Siri. This marks a significant step up from the HomePod and HomePod mini, which use the chipsets from Apple Watch models S7 and S5, respectively.
While there is no information on whether Apple plans to upgrade its conventional HomePods to support Apple Intelligence, the potential HomePod with a display will likely be the first of its kind in Apple’s smart home lineup to feature this capability.
7-inch LCD Display
According to Ming-Chi Kuo’s supply chain analysis, Apple’s smart display is likely to include a 7-inch LCD panel, similar to devices like the Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub. The display is expected to be supplied by a new manufacturer, Tianma, marking a shift in Apple’s supply chain for smart home products.
Kuo also believes that this new product will offer “closer integration with other Apple hardware products” and represents a major step in Apple’s strategy to create a unified smart home experience. Initially, reports suggested that the product would be released in early 2024, but this timeline appears to have shifted.
Unique Design and Built-In Camera
Unlike other smart home displays, Apple’s future product is rumored to feature a built-in camera for FaceTime and video conferencing. However, unlike competing products, Apple is expected to focus on making the display the primary component of the device, not just a feature attached to a speaker. This design strategy could set Apple’s product apart from competitors in terms of both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
Mark Gurman of Bloomberg previously referred to this product as a “smart display, like an iPad, that can be mounted on a wall.” While some may question how this will compare to the lower-cost iPad, it’s clear that Apple is working to differentiate this product within its lineup.
New Operating System: homeOS
According to reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple’s smart home display will likely run on a new operating system known as “homeOS.” This would align with previous reports suggesting that Apple is moving towards a more unified OS for its smart home devices. Evidence of this new OS has been seen in the beta version of tvOS 18, internally referred to as “PlasterBoard.”
The upcoming smart home product is expected to launch in spring 2025, though plans may change. Regardless, Apple’s continued push into the smart home market is certain to shake up the industry and introduce new possibilities for home automation.
Conclusion
Apple’s rumored smart home display, expected to debut in 2025, represents a significant evolution in the company’s home automation strategy. With features like the A18 chipset, a 7-inch display, built-in FaceTime camera, and the new homeOS, Apple aims to offer a seamless and integrated smart home experience. While the exact release date remains uncertain, anticipation continues to grow as consumers await the next generation of Apple’s smart home products.
