Apple is reportedly working on levelling up its smart home features by releasing a dedicated iPad-like display next year that will act as a hub for all your gadgets and appliances. Bloomberg claims that the new display will be powered by a new OS called homeOS that is based on Apple’s tvOS.
The homeOS platform will run certain Apple apps including Calendar, Notes, Home and other tied-in appliance apps. The device itself will act as a gateway to all your linked smart home products and will be mounted to a wall using a magnet bracket. Apple is also expected to tie the entire range together using Apple Intelligence.
It isn’t the first time we have heard about Apple’s new smart home approach. The company was also reportedly working on a HomePod with a display at one stage. The product would see its high-end HomePod get a swivel arm attachment which has an iPad-like display on the end of it. Users could then operate homeOS using the device.
Another HomeAccessory was also rumoured to be in the works. This other display would feature infrared sensors and come in a square shape. Users could operate the homeOS platform using hand gestures from afar. This product was reportedly spotted in the latest version of iOS alongside references to homeOS too.
Apple’s current smart home offerings are lacking in comparison to its competitors such as Samsung. While Apple Home works, it is limited in support for products and devices. It is also easier to find a Google Home-supported product these days than a HomeKit-certified piece of tech. By the sound of things, Apple wants 2025 to be the year it expands into the smart home product landscape further.
Source: Bloomberg
