Apple Is Preparing for a Breakthrough in the Smart Home Market — Bloomberg

Apple is preparing for a major breakthrough in the smart home device segment after lagging behind its competitors for years, according to Bloomberg. The company plans to release a new home hub with a 7-inch display, Siri AI support, and facial recognition, sources told . The device is set to become the centerpiece of Apple’s new strategy in the smart home market.

According to Bloomberg sources, the home hub will run on a new operating system based on tvOS. Its interface will combine elements of the Apple TV, Apple Watch, and iPhone software and will include apps, widgets, and an icon grid.

The device will feature a 7-inch display with support for FaceTime video calls, home security features, and a built-in system for connecting multiple Apple devices. Users will be able to control smart speakers, door locks, and other connected devices; view photos and calendars; listen to music; and use customizable watch faces similar to those on the Apple Watch.

One of the key features will be facial recognition. According to Bloomberg sources, the hub will be able to identify who is in front of the screen, estimate the distance to the user, and automatically adapt the interface. The device will display personalized data, including a calendar, notes, and other content specific to each user.

Apple is developing two versions of the hub, according to the agency. The first will feature a display similar to that of the HomePod mini. The second model will mount to the wall using a new magnetic system. The company expects users to be able to place several of these devices in different rooms.

The new device is expected to launch sometime between October and early 2027. The release has already been postponed several times because the device relies on a new version of the Siri AI voice assistant, whose launch was previously delayed due to engineering issues and quality assurance challenges, according to Bloomberg.

Separately, Apple is preparing updated versions of the HomePod mini and the Apple TV set-top box. According to Bloomberg sources, the devices will look similar to the current models but will feature more powerful processors needed to support Siri AI features. They are scheduled for release in the fall of 2026.

An Apple spokesperson declined to comment.

So far, Apple has not been able to turn its smart home products into a significant source of profit, Bloomberg notes. Sales of the HomePod smart speaker, first introduced in 2018, and the Apple TV set-top box, released in 2007, have been relatively modest. AirPods and the Apple Watch account for the bulk of revenue in Apple’s division responsible for wearables, home products, and accessories.

Apple shares rose 1.8% after the market opened in New York, bringing the company's market capitalization to $5 trillion.

With the release of its new devices, the iPhone maker will be competing directly with Amazon and Alphabet in a market that is rapidly changing due to advances in artificial intelligence. Apple’s new smart home device will compete with the Amazon Echo Show and the Google Nest Hub.

In addition, OpenAI is also developing its own device. As Bloomberg previously reported, citing sources, the company is working on a screenless smart speaker designed to become a new type of “AI-era home computer.” The speaker will be equipped with a camera and other sensors that will help it understand its surroundings and take the user’s context into account. OpenAI expects that, over time, the device will become more personalized, anticipate the user’s needs, and provide the necessary information in advance.

This article was AI-translated and verified by a human editor