Apple is gearing up to revolutionize the smart home market with its first iPad-like smart home accessory, potentially launching as early as 2024. According to reports by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the tech giant is developing a new device that will integrate seamlessly into its home ecosystem, enhancing how users control their smart appliances, view information, and access Apple apps in their homes. This marks a significant step in Apple’s ongoing efforts to create a more unified smart home experience through its homeOS platform.
What Is Apple’s New Smart Home Accessory?
Apple’s upcoming smart home accessory is designed to function like a cross between an iPad and a dedicated smart home hub. The device will feature a squarish display optimized for controlling home devices, such as lights, thermostats, and security systems. It will also offer quick access to essential Apple apps like Calendar, Notes, and the Home app, which acts as a central hub for all connected devices.
Although Apple has previously ventured into smart home territory with its HomePod speakers and Apple TV, these products lack the versatility and hardware necessary for advanced functions like running AI models or offering a robust visual interface. This new accessory aims to fill that gap by providing an interactive, display-based experience.
One of the standout features of the device will be its ability to serve as a control center for managing household appliances, powered by Apple’s homeOS platform. The accessory could also act as a visual dashboard for monitoring various home conditions, making it easier for users to interact with their smart devices.
Apple Intelligence: Bringing AI to the Smart Home
At the heart of this new device is what Apple calls “Apple Intelligence,” which will enable it to leverage AI to improve the smart home experience. While existing Apple products like HomePod and Apple TV already offer limited home automation, they lack the hardware necessary to support AI-driven tasks such as personalized automation or advanced security functions.
The introduction of AI will enable this new accessory to understand personalized commands, identify individual users, and adapt to unique preferences within a household. For example, it could adjust the lighting and temperature settings when it recognizes a particular family member or tailor reminders and notifications based on the person interacting with it.
The device is also expected to be a lower-cost companion to another more advanced home accessory, which is rumored to be a robotic device priced above $1,000. The robotic device might include advanced AI capabilities and possibly more interactive features, offering an even deeper integration into home automation.
Design and Features: What to Expect
While details on the final design of Apple’s smart home accessory are still under wraps, leaks and reports suggest that Apple has been working on a range of prototypes. Some designs reportedly resemble a HomePod with a screen, which could magnetically attach to walls or sit atop a desk. Another prototype features an iPad-like display mounted on a robotic arm, offering flexibility and mobility around the home.
According to 9to5Mac, the lower-end device will feature a squarish display, powered by an A18 chip, and will include a built-in camera for FaceTime calls. This could make the device a useful tool not only for home automation but also for communication, allowing users to video chat with family and friends while controlling their smart home setup.
The smart home device is also said to support AirPlay, allowing users to stream content from their iPhones, iPads, or Macs directly to the display. Additionally, it could incorporate advanced sensors capable of recognizing hand gestures from a distance and distinguishing between different people for personalized requests. This functionality is key for hands-free control and personalization, making the device a central command unit in multi-user households.
HomeOS: The Operating System Behind Apple’s Smart Home Vision
One of the most intriguing aspects of this new smart home accessory is its integration with homeOS, a specialized operating system that Apple has been quietly developing. First hinted at in backend code discovered by MacRumors in early 2023, homeOS appears to be a variant of tvOS, the operating system currently used in Apple TV.
HomeOS is designed to enhance the performance and functionality of Apple’s smart home devices, enabling more seamless interaction between Apple’s hardware, such as the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and third-party smart home devices. The platform is expected to centralize all home-related functions, offering users a more intuitive way to manage their connected devices.
The decision to build a dedicated operating system for its smart home products shows Apple’s commitment to this growing market. As smart homes become increasingly common, having a unified platform that can manage various devices and adapt to users’ needs becomes more essential. Apple’s ecosystem, which already offers deep integration between its devices, will be strengthened by the addition of homeOS, making the new smart home accessory a natural extension of its other products.
Apple’s entrance into the smart home display market puts it in direct competition with other tech giants like Amazon and Google, both of which already offer smart home hubs with display capabilities. Amazon’s Echo Show and Google’s Nest Hub have established themselves as popular choices for consumers looking to control smart devices, stream content, and access information from a central display.
However, Apple’s advantage lies in its vast ecosystem and seamless integration across devices. With features like FaceTime, AirPlay, and personalized AI-driven experiences, Apple’s smart home accessory could appeal to those already invested in the Apple ecosystem. Furthermore, Apple’s reputation for privacy and security might sway customers concerned about data protection, a topic that has come under scrutiny with other smart home devices.
Apple is expected to launch its first iPad-like smart home accessory as early as spring 2024, according to reports. With its AI-driven capabilities, flexible design, and integration with homeOS, this device could become a game-changer in the smart home market. As Apple continues to expand its home automation portfolio, the new accessory signals the company’s commitment to shaping the future of how we interact with technology in our homes.
By offering a robust, user-friendly control hub, Apple is positioning itself to compete in a growing market while staying true to its principles of design, functionality, and privacy.
