Concept: Rajesh/Cult of Mac
Apple might launch a new smart display running homeOS early next year. It could feature FaceTime integration and act as a smart home controller.
The low-end smart display will seemingly act as a companion to the more expensive tabletop iPad on a robotic arm.
Apple’s new low-end smart home display will run homeOS
Apple failed to penetrate the smart home and speaker market with HomePod. Despite the HomePod and HomePod mini delivering fantastic sound quality, Siri held them back. It also never launched a smart display device to take on the Google Nest Hub and Amazon Echo Show.
Although consumer interest in smart displays seems to be waning, Apple reportedly remains interested in entering the segment.
Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman details Apple’s upcoming low-end smart display in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter. He claims the device will launch early next year with homeOS.
More importantly, it will feature Apple Intelligence support, bringing Apple’s AI tools to your home. Apple’s AI and engineering teams are collaborating closely on this. None of Apple’s current home-branded products, like the Apple TV or Apple TV, support Apple Intelligence.
The new operating system will be based on tvOS, which runs on Apple TV. Apple plans to use the same OS on its tabletop iPad with a robotic arm as well.
Gurman believes the company will eventually merge both OSes and run them on all its Home devices.
Apple optimizing its upcoming smart display for smart home controls
Apple is designing the low-end smart display to run apps like Calendar, Notes, and Home. It will seemingly optimize the UI for managing home apps and quickly accessing relevant information. Reportedly, Apple’s prototypes envision the device as magnetically attaching to walls or sitting on top of desks.
With a smarter Siri experience, optimized UI, useful AI features and an affordable price tag, Apple might have a shot with its new low-end homeOS device. If the product falters in any of these areas, it will likely meet the same fate as other Apple smart home devices.