The Apple logo hangs on an Apple Store on March 25, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Sean … [+]
Apple seems set to make a splash in the smart home market with not one but two new devices.
These rumored additions – a wall-mounted smart display and a security camera – could see the biggest name in tech catch up the likes of Amazon in the smart home space, and give users even more reasons to stay within its ever-expanding ecosystem.
The first potential new arrival is a smart display designed to be a command center for the home; a device that has been on the rumor mill for a while now.
Said to resemble a sleek, square iPad mounted on the wall, this device – code-named J490 – is expected to arrive as early as March, according to industry whispers.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who has a track record for Apple scoops, describes it as a device for controlling home appliances, conducting video calls, and navigating apps with a combination of touch and advanced AI.
It will purportedly feature Apple Intelligence, Apple’s AI platform, which already powers the latest iPhones.
These widgets should allow users to control HomeKit-connected devices seamlessly, with Siri on hand for voice commands and automated home routines.
Apple appears intent on positioning it as a true competitor to the Amazon Echo Hub and Google’s Nest Hub, using proximity sensors and Apple’s software prowess to take the experience up a notch.
If the rumors are accurate, Apple’s smart hub will feature a 6-inch display, complete with a camera, internal speakers, and a touch interface inspired by the Apple Watch and iPhone’s StandBy mode.
There are even hints at a pricier version with robotic movement capabilities, which could allow the device to follow the user’s gaze or reposition itself as needed.
Beyond the hub, the second intriguing rumor involves an Apple-branded smart security camera, likely to begin production in 2026.
Famed supply-chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that Apple is planning to integrate this camera deeply with its other devices, leveraging Siri and Apple Intelligence for seamless connectivity.
This would give Apple a chance to lock down another piece of the smart home market, aligning its camera with its HomeKit Secure Video (HKSV) service, which securely stores footage in iCloud and already works with Apple home hubs like the HomePod and Apple TV.
A dedicated Apple camera could become part of the broader Apple HomeKit ecosystem, and this rumored camera could bring AI-based, context-aware features to the party, like knowing who’s coming home or identifying specific activity types.
With these two new devices in the pipeline, Apple’s smart home strategy seems geared toward tighter integration and more control within the Apple ecosystem.
For Apple users, these developments could mean more ways to enhance their smart home setup without leaving the comfort of Apple’s walled garden.