Apple is preparing to enter the smart home display market with two exciting new products: a high-end device featuring a motorized display and a more affordable option designed for everyday use. According to a Bloomberg report, these displays will run on a new operating system called homeOS, optimized for Apple’s vision of the smart home. This move represents Apple’s latest effort to establish itself as a key player in home automation, with both devices expected to leverage AI and seamlessly integrate into the Apple ecosystem.
In a major step forward for its smart home ambitions, Apple is reportedly working on two new smart displays aimed at transforming the way users interact with their home devices. As Bloomberg reports, the tech giant has been developing two smart home displays under the code names J595 and J490, both of which are expected to run on a brand-new operating system called homeOS, a spin-off of tvOS. Apple is looking to introduce homeOS as the software foundation for its home automation products, similar to how iOS and macOS power the company’s mobile and desktop devices.
What’s Coming: Two New Smart Home Displays
Apple’s upcoming smart home displays will introduce two distinct models:
- The High-End J595: This model is a premium smart home hub that combines an iPad-like display with a motorized robotic arm, allowing the device to adjust its orientation automatically, ensuring it always faces the user. Expected to cost over $1,000, this futuristic device will make video calls, display information, and offer a full suite of smart home control features.
- The Affordable J490: Set for release as early as next year, the J490 model will serve as a more accessible smart home solution, offering FaceTime support, control of home appliances, and access to essential Apple apps such as Calendar and Notes. The device is designed to be a compact square display that can magnetically attach to walls or rest on desks. With a rumored Apple A18 ARM chip, this model is aimed at users looking for a simple yet powerful smart home interface.
homeOS: The Future of Apple’s Smart Home Ecosystem
Both displays will run on homeOS, a new operating system that builds upon tvOS, the software already used by Apple TV. This new OS will focus on smart home integration, supporting AI-powered tasks and making it easier to control Apple’s HomeKit ecosystem. As Apple continues to bring AI into the home, these new devices will serve as hubs for controlling everything from lights to security systems.
Apple’s homeOS could potentially unify the company’s smart home efforts, streamlining the control of all devices under a single, AI-enhanced platform. This software is expected to evolve alongside Apple’s broader AI strategy, incorporating voice control, automation, and personalized suggestions through Apple’s AI brand, Apple Intelligence.
A Competitive Leap Forward?
This is not Apple’s first attempt at entering the smart home market—earlier products like the HomePod and Apple TV have had limited success compared to competitors like Amazon’s Alexa and Google Nest. However, the introduction of homeOS and the new smart displays could signify a shift in strategy. With a focus on artificial intelligence and high-quality hardware, Apple is positioning these new products to compete more directly in the growing smart home sector.
By creating a premium option alongside a more affordable alternative, Apple aims to cater to both high-end users and those looking for a simpler solution. Whether or not these devices can surpass the competition remains to be seen, but the company’s commitment to AI and smart home integration is clear.
For more details on Apple’s upcoming smart home devices and operating system, you can read the full Bloomberg article here.