Apple's Upcoming Smart Home Accessory Could Feature 'Squarish' Display

[MacRumors]

Apple is rumored to be working on a sort of iPad-like smart display that will serve as a home hub for controlling your HomeKit and Matter devices. We've been hearing rumors about the device for the last couple of years, and now there's some new information about its potential design.

Called the "HomeAccessory" internally, the upcoming smart home device has a "squarish display," according to 9to5Mac. The square display would make the product distinct from an iPad, which has a more rectangular display. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has previously described the smart home hub as "iPad-like" with features adopted from the iPad, HomePod, and the Apple TV, but he's also described a separate HomePod with a screen, which seems to be simpler.

9to5Mac claims it is unclear whether the square design will make it into the final product, which also seems to have a built-in camera for FaceTime. The device includes a camera that is able to identify hand gestures from afar, and it can tell one person apart from another for personalized requests. While it can run apps and play media like the Apple TV, it will also serve as an AirPlay receiver like the HomePod.

MacRumors spotted signs of the HomeAccessory in Apple's backend code earlier this year. It is a product that is distinct from Apple's other home devices, the Apple TV and the HomePod. It seems to run a variant of tvOS much like the HomePod, and the test version we've seen described is equipped with an A18 chip, so there is a possibility that it might not be too far off from launching.

With an A18 chip or later, Apple's smart home product would be able to run Apple Intelligence features, and it would support the smarter Siri that Apple plans to introduce in 2025. Prior rumors have said that it will debut in 2025 at the earliest, and 9to5Mac says it could come next spring.

Article Link: Apple's Upcoming Smart Home Accessory Could Feature 'Squarish' Display

 

[VPRunner]

I just would have no use for this.

 

[groove-agent]

Aren't most displays "squarish"?

 

[Ultracyclist]

I would love to see this as an add on for my iPad. Just the base with a magnetic iPad holder that offers power like the Magic Keyboard. Maybe auto connect to a speaker inside the base.

 

[sunapple]

This product doesn’t make sense. Really curious how they’ll market this. Surely with a silly name and price.

 

[Realityck]

According to reliable sources familiar with the matter, the leaked “HomeAccessory” is indeed Apple’s new smart home accessory. Codenamed J490, the device will be powered by the A18 chip, presumably to support Apple Intelligence features (which won’t be available on current HomePods).

Is it just a IPad Hub accessory for expanding using a iPad in the home as a home automation center?

 

[AbSoluTc]

Would have no use for a "smart display" for homekit. Some might, I don't. Nor do I need one on a HomePod either.

 

[Be-1ne]

isnt it basically the old flowerpot iMac from eons ago?

 

[salz4life]

I mean.... this is going to be like $1000 right? Sorry Apple, I'll just keep my Echo Show that I got for $75.

 

[Bolebent]

Fantastic information “it may have a square display” !!!!!!!!

 

[hoorayforhollywood]

Let's make this simple for Apple. The Echo Show 10 is £260 in the UK. Anything more than £300 and they are wasting their time. But it will be £499.

 

[Cirillo Gherardo]

As much as these mockups are tongue in cheek nod to the sunflower iMac...the design actually really makes sense. It is without a doubt a kitchen device, I'm just not sure where in the kitchen I would put it.

 

[Rayansb]

good cuz I was worried the display would be round

 

[gusping]

This is going to sell TERRIBLY. No gen 2 product. Calling it now.

 

[MadDawg2020]

I find it highly unlikely Apple would be reviving the 22 year old 'flower pot' iMac design and just slap on an iPad touchscreen...

 

[daio]

My money is on “HomePad” as the name

 

[Reason077]

As much as these mockups are tongue in cheek nod to the sunflower iMac...the design actually really makes sense. It is without a doubt a kitchen device, I'm just not sure where in the kitchen I would put it.

No, that’s a stupid design and it won’t look anything like a sunflower iMac unless Apple have lost their minds.

Nobody wants another device taking up space on kitchen counters or desktops!

The proper place for a home automation hub device is on the wall, where your light switches and HVAC controls etc are today.

 

[msackey]

This product doesn’t make sense. Really curious how they’ll market this. Surely with a silly name and price.

I agree. There's the iPad which can do the same thing or it should do the same thing. If it's a question if price point, there's still the iPad Mini. Why a totally separate line of devices?

 

[McWetty]

I just want something to replace my garbage ad-riddled Echo Show 15.

I need it to:
1.) be under cabinet mountable.
2.) show my calendar/reminders/photos/grocery list at a glance.
3.) play my streaming app content on it.

I’d take an iPad with kiosk software, but that’s not exactly the same.

 

[blocsapp]

Interesting, I also hear the screen is rumoured to have four corners.

 

[jz0309]

struggling to see a use case for this, esp when one has iPad already ... but, as typical for rumors, it's a rumor and we don't really know anything yet

 

[WingingIt]

I’ve said it before, but I just can’t believe this is going to be a thing. You already have a screen in your living room that you can plug into an Apple TV. So this is redundant as a living room device. Where else are you going to put it?

 

[DHagan4755]

How would folks have any interest in this when you can do this on an iPad?

 

[daanodinot]

The fact that it might have an A18-chip is kind of wild. :O

 

[mox358]

It feels like there is some big piece of information missing from this rumor. Like others have said the description doesn't make sense. A home hub style device for HomeKit could be really great. But essentially an iPad on a stick shoved into a HomePod? Even with some of Apple's really bad design choices, that doesn't sound like something they would ship.