Apple may release a device that will become the centerpiece of a new product category. In an effort to catch up with competitors, the tech giant is developing screen designed to control a smart home. According to sources, this device will be able to control our connected devices and will rely on Apple Intelligence AI.
According to a report from BloombergApple is working on a new smart home product. According to sources familiar with the project, the device has 6-inch square screen similar to the one found on the iPad. Codenamed J490, the gadget will be wall-mountable and offer control features using the new Siri with Apple Intelligence.
As for the design, sources note that the screen has the size is comparable to the size of two iPhones placed side by side. Unlike the iPad, the smart home device has a thick bezel around the screen, a front-facing camera for FaceTime, built-in speakers and a rechargeable battery.
Another striking detail that the report points out is that this device uses its own operating system called Pebble. Sources claim that the interface is a mixture of watchOS and iPhone standby mode. Users can interact via the touchscreen, although the goal is for them to use their voice to dictate commands to Siri.
Apple is betting on the smart home with a new product
While rumors of a smart home-focused device have been circulating for months, this is the first time they haven’t been accompanied by the word “robot.” A few weeks ago, journalist Mark Gurman announced that Apple was working on a HomePod with an iPad screen to control our home. In the same report, Gurman mentioned the J490, a product with Basic design and limited features compared to HomePod with screen.
Journalist Bloomberg At the time, he said Apple engineers envisioned the screen attached to a wall or on a flat surface. The most recent report confirms this intention and adds that the hardware was designed with the intent of the application in minda system that allows Siri AI to precisely control applications and tasks.
As expected, J490 will be HomeKit compatible and will allow you to control devices compatible with this framework, such as thermostats, lights, smart locks, sensors and more. In addition, this product will allow you to browse the web, make FaceTime video calls, listen to music or get the latest news.
Tim Cook, Apple CEO, is confident that This gadget will be crucial in making the company a leader in its segment.or, surpassing Amazon and Google. To achieve this, Apple will rely on an aggressive pricing strategy similar to the Echo Show 8 or Nest Hub Max. The company is also preparing an advanced model that can cost up to $1,000, as well as accessories for mounting it on a wall, stands for additional speakers, or for placement in different parts of the house.
If this is confirmed, a new smart home device from Apple will appear. will be available in March 2025 with prices ranging from $150 to $230..
Source: Hiper Textual
I’m Ben Stock, a highly experienced and passionate journalist with a career in the news industry spanning more than 10 years. I specialize in writing content for websites, including researching and interviewing sources to produce engaging articles. My current role is as an author at Gadget Onus, where I mainly cover the mobile section.
