Apple’s long-rumoured smart home hub could finally be close to launch, with a new report claiming the company could unveil the device on 13 October.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple’s first dedicated home hub is expected to sit at the centre of the company’s wider push into smart home technology. The device has reportedly been in development for years and could also mark an important launch for Apple’s new CEO, John Ternus.
The reported device sounds similar in concept to an Amazon Echo Show, with a display, camera and microphone built into a compact home hub. Gurman’s sources claim it will have a roughly 6-inch square display and could be used either on a countertop or mounted to a wall.
There’s even a design twist. The hub could take some inspiration from the 2002 iMac, with a display mounted on a rounded base that allows it to pivot.
Apple’s smart display will reportedly run a new operating system combining elements of several existing Apple platforms. It’s also expected to showcase the company’s new Siri AI assistant, which could give the device a more conversational role around the home.
Personalisation is another part of the reported experience. The hub could use facial and voice recognition to identify who is using it and adjust the information shown on screen accordingly. A visitor mode would reportedly prevent personal information from being displayed to guests.
The device is also expected to act as a control point for smart home devices, including thermostats and door locks. Apple could use the display for FaceTime calls, multi-device intercom communication, iCloud photo slideshows and music streaming, while a kitchen-focused experience could let users look up recipes and watch videos while cooking.
There could be more than one version in the works, too. Gurman has previously reported that Apple is developing a larger nine-inch model with a robotic arm, although it isn’t clear when that version could arrive.
The first hub was reportedly planned for 2024 but was apparently delayed amid problems surrounding Apple Intelligence. With Apple’s new Siri finally approaching launch, the smart home hub may now be ready to take its place at the heart of Apple’s connected-home plans.
For now, though, 13 October remains a reported launch date rather than a confirmed Apple announcement, so we’ll have to wait for the company to make things official.
