Apple’s next product could be a wall-mounted smart home display set to arrive in March | Tech Tips

Past reports suggest that Apple is aiming to enter the smart home market. Now, credible Apple analyst Mark Gurman has revealed some interesting details. The company is said to be working on an iPad-like wall mounted display that would act as a smart home management hub. It can be used to control home appliances, handle video calls, and utilise AI. The display can also double up as a digital picture frame. The device is reported to launch soon in the next few months. Read on to know everything that the report reveals. 

Apple smart home display key details surface

• Apple’s first wall-mounted smart home display is codenamed J490. 
• According to Gurman, the device is said to be the size of two iPhones side-by-side with a square aspect ratio. It will feature a 6-inch touchscreen surrounded by thick bezels. 
• The display will have a camera and internal speakers for FaceTime calls. It will be backed by a built-in rechargeable battery. 
• The report adds that the device will run on a new OS that is a mix of elements from the watchOS and iPhone’s Standby mode. It is said to be codenamed Pebble and come with apps and widgets to display information. 
• The smart home display will come with support for Siri and Apple Intelligence. The Cupertino-based tech giant expects users to rely on voice commands and AI instead of interacting with the screen.
• The report mentions that the hardware for the smart home display is designed around App Intents, a system to let AI control apps and tasks. 
• The first smart home display from Apple will also work with HomeKit-compatible lights, security cameras, thermostats, and more. 
• Additionally, the device will be equipped with sensors to determine how close the user is. 
• Apple is also working on different attachments for the smart home display. These are said to include bases with addiitonal speakers and a nightstand. 

Apple smart home display launch timeline, pricing

Apple’s first smart home display is tipped to arrive as early as March next year. Gurman reports that CEO Tim Cook is betting that this device makes Apple a dominant player in the smart home market. The company hopes to sell multiple units to consumers. It will compete against the likes of the Amazon Echo smart displays and Google Nest Hub. Apple is also rumoured to be working on a higher-end smart display with a large screen and robotic arm expected to debut in 2026. The screen-only model is expected to cost close to its competitors like the Echo Show 8 and Nest Hub Max.

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