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It looks like Apple could be about to make a renewed push into the smart home market, with two new ‘homeOS’ devices reportedly on the horizon.
This is the word from from Mark Gurman’s Bloomberg Power On newsletter – a renowned industry insider who has previously accurately spilled the beans on Sonos’ roadmap among other things.
Gurman states that Apple is aiming to ramp up its smart home efforts by integrating advanced AI features into the purported new duo of devices.
One of the upcoming products, allegedly codenamed J595, is expected to be a high-end smart display with an intriguing twist: a robotic arm.
This device could blend the functionality of an iPad with futuristic robotics, and it’s likely to come with a hefty price tag of around $1,000 or more.
In addition, a second device, codenamed J490, is being developed as a more budget-friendly alternative.
This smart display will reportedly focus on FaceTime functionality and home automation—essentially a long-anticipated HomePod with a screen.
Gurman’s report suggests that this device could hit the market as early as next year.
Both devices are expected to tap into Apple’s growing range of AI-powered tools, referred to as “Apple Intelligence.”
The introduction of homeOS could provide a unified operating system, possibly built on Apple’s existing tvOS platform, to better connect its smart home ecosystem.
The more affordable smart display, J490, is reportedly designed with practicality in mind, with the ability to run essential apps like Calendar, Notes, and Home.
Apple has reportedly toyed with various design concepts for this device, including a prototype that can magnetically attach to walls.
While Apple has experienced mixed success in the smart home market so far, the introduction of homeOS and these new products may signal a turning point.
Also on the Apple roadmap, hopefully, is the return of blood-oxygen sensing on the Apple Watch.
The Power On newsletter also revealed that Masimo’s CEO, Joe Kiani – a key figure in preventing the feature’s inclusion, has stepped down. His company sued Apple over patent disputes and successfully blocked the technology.
Gurman writes that, following a recent board shake-up and Kiani’s resignation, there is speculation that Apple and Masimo may now have the opportunity to negotiate a settlement, potentially bringing blood oxygen sensing back to future Apple Watch models.