If the final product looks like what this website keeps posting, I'm probably gonna throw up. I hate the way it looks.
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iOS 26 Code Leak Reveals Apple Smart Home Hub Details
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"The home hub will use Face ID for authentication and to identify who is in a room."
lol. Face ID has a distance limit and a finite resolution, and it is never trained with data about your ear shape or profile. unless this identification process requires everyone in the room to pay a visit to the homehub (maybe kneel down and look into its camera) this ain't gonna fly.
if you say it will use facial recognition, that will depend on the 1080p camera. that can potentially work, but will likely have serious limitations. and I cannot really guess what's the benefit for the consumer.
lol. Face ID has a distance limit and a finite resolution, and it is never trained with data about your ear shape or profile. unless this identification process requires everyone in the room to pay a visit to the homehub (maybe kneel down and look into its camera) this ain't gonna fly.
if you say it will use facial recognition, that will depend on the 1080p camera. that can potentially work, but will likely have serious limitations. and I cannot really guess what's the benefit for the consumer.
Yawn. Please wake me when (a) it is a delivered product and (b) actually works and includes a viable Siri. And oh yeah, HomeKit devices show far less “No Response” messages than today.
Crazy thought... could the new Home device(s) maybe just be tabletop and wall docks for existing iPads? This seems like an easy way to extend the capabilities of the Smart Connector.
It seems awfully wasteful to engineer specific hardware that only does that one specialized thing when you have hardware that can already do all of that, and more.
I've been wondering if this is maybe part of the reason we haven't seen an iPad mini update yet, which is notably still lacking the Smart Connector.
Having some HomeDock accessories that activate a homeOS user experience when an iPad is dropped into the connector seems like a more versatile option that would also give users the option to select their preferred screen size for their home hub device. It could still essentially act as a HomePod mini in headless mode, but drop a tablet into it, and it opens up more UI options.
It seems awfully wasteful to engineer specific hardware that only does that one specialized thing when you have hardware that can already do all of that, and more.
I've been wondering if this is maybe part of the reason we haven't seen an iPad mini update yet, which is notably still lacking the Smart Connector.
Having some HomeDock accessories that activate a homeOS user experience when an iPad is dropped into the connector seems like a more versatile option that would also give users the option to select their preferred screen size for their home hub device. It could still essentially act as a HomePod mini in headless mode, but drop a tablet into it, and it opens up more UI options.
Really, you want 4K on a 7" screen? The camera is used for face recognition and (maybe?) FaceTime-like calls to the doorbell camera or to another copy of itself in another room. The Apple iPhone 17 is just about a 2K display, but only if you hold it horizontally.
Honestly, I'd get the thing on looks itself. Reminds me of the iMac G4 which is still IMO the most beautifully designed piece of tech that Apple ever created.
People don’t want innovation at all, they just want to be wowed, and in today’s market that’s not happening.
Because Apple innovates every year. If you look at what the actual dictionary definition of innovation is, Apple does it more today than they ever have.
Tech sucked for the majority of average consumers 20 years ago, now even the cheap stuff is great.
Of *course* modern innovations aren’t going to wow you.
Microwaves were a huge technically impressive demo that just left people absolutely floored in the 70s. A machine you could stick on your counter and have your food instantly hot in minutes.
But in 2025, how much time do you think the average consumer spends ruminating on how amazing their Microwave is? Likely very little, if at all.
The same is true for consumer computing devices.
Because then Apple wouldn't get to sell us this product.
Apple Siri, Home, TV, and Music need a hub. However, having a hard time seeing the need for a screen or for that matter another speaker. I have many always available screens and speakers, already. The iPhone, iPad, Watch, Mac, screens and work remotely. Why would I need to go into the kitchen to make changes. If I was in the kitchen three of the above items with me. The iPhone, Watch and a kitchen HomePod. What I need, an Apple TV size hub box out of the way in a central location in the house.
I mean I guess, but I don't want my TV on 24/7 and don't generally want these photos on display at 50+ inches.
A follow up to my previous comment. So the goal is to make Siri more effective and accurate. The hub will do just that, yes? Why would one put a another screen when the goal is to use Siri voice no screen? Really Apple?
I've got a HomeKit set up with 8 Home Pods, 6 sets of blinds, 5 indoor ceiling fans, 3 outdoor fans, 3 thermostats, 2 Apple TVs, dozens of lights, and I'm looking to add more lights, cameras, doorbells, and door locks. I don't feel a need for this. What I've got now works fine. I'd prefer for them to fix the buggy device registration problem before they work on anything else for HomeKit. It shouldn't take multiple attempts to get a device registered.
I have that and things like that, too. They weren't all bought at once, tbh, just here and there as the needs came in, moving houses, etc.
You’re describing the pixel tablet which I also thought was a brilliant device. Being able to use the screen as an iPad on the couch. Then dock it and use it in the kitchen, intercom around the house etc would be amazing.
We have a rather urgent need for devices that I hope AppleHome will meet the need of. This will be something that many people with elders that they need to assist and check in on.
We are looking after a neighbor (10 miles away) that is aging. He needs to be able to use the device easily for many tasks. We really hope that the new Siri will facilitate that.
We also want to be able to add/remove items to his calendar (from our devices) and to remind him of these item verbally as well as on screen. We want him to be able to easily have video conferences with us.
Another critical feature would be that it can tell us when he was last times he was walking around the main room. This is a way to know he has been up and about while preserving his privacy by not showing him.
Another feature is to be able to make a video call to him on the device.
None of these things are way out there, but they need to be integrated in such a way they are easy to use.
Hopefully Siri will make it easy for him to do thing like:
- what is on my schedule for today/tomorrow
- when is my doctor’s appointment
- show me all new e-mails today from friends
- show me my last e-mails from person x
- call person X with video chat
Of course as he ages and we/he uses it more ideas will come.
We are looking after a neighbor (10 miles away) that is aging. He needs to be able to use the device easily for many tasks. We really hope that the new Siri will facilitate that.
We also want to be able to add/remove items to his calendar (from our devices) and to remind him of these item verbally as well as on screen. We want him to be able to easily have video conferences with us.
Another critical feature would be that it can tell us when he was last times he was walking around the main room. This is a way to know he has been up and about while preserving his privacy by not showing him.
Another feature is to be able to make a video call to him on the device.
None of these things are way out there, but they need to be integrated in such a way they are easy to use.
Hopefully Siri will make it easy for him to do thing like:
- what is on my schedule for today/tomorrow
- when is my doctor’s appointment
- show me all new e-mails today from friends
- show me my last e-mails from person x
- call person X with video chat
Of course as he ages and we/he uses it more ideas will come.