Even with Apple’s knack for disrupting every category it enters, smart displays remain one glaring omission. Amazon Echo and Google Nest dominate living rooms, so it seemed only a matter of time before Apple joined them.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple is developing two smart displays that will bring Apple’s artificial intelligence to your home. We have heard much about the first product, J595, in the last few months. An iPad-like screen is combined with a robotic arm in this high-end product. The device might be able to move or rotate its display to follow a user’s voice or keep them in view.
Second, the J490 smart display is said to be designed primarily for controlling smart home devices and FaceTime calls. Possibly as early as next year, this device could serve as an entry-level companion to the more advanced J595, which is expected to cost over $1,000.
According to reports, both devices will run Apple’s new “HomeOS” operating system, which is based on tvOS, the software currently powering Apple TV devices.
These new smart displays will reportedly be able to run AI models locally, unlike the current generation of Apple TV and HomePod devices, which lack the necessary hardware for AI processing.
Previous reports:
There was also a separate report about an Apple smart device similar to Gurman’s description of the J490 smart display a few days ago. With an interface designed for quick smart home control, it will feature apps including Calendar, Notes, and Home, serving as a hub for everyday tasks. In addition to making the device magnetic, Apple has also considered attaching it to walls.
You’re probably on the right track if you envision something like the Amazon Echo Show, albeit more expensive. Apple is known for entering new categories in its own style, often with premium features and price tags to match, so it’ll be interesting to see how these devices fare.
