Apple is preparing to make a serious push into the smart home with two intriguing new devices that blend familiar HomePod DNA with large displays and advanced intelligence. According to details emerging about the company’s upcoming hardware, one is a wall- or stand-mountable smart display, and the other is a larger, robotic version capable of physically moving its screen for more natural interactions.
The Smart Home Hub: A HomePod With a Brain and a Face
The first device is best described as a HomePod with a screen. It features a roughly 7-inch square display and can be placed on a half-domed speaker base or magnetically mounted directly to a wall. This flexible mounting system should make it easy to install in kitchens, hallways, living rooms, or anywhere else a always-on smart display makes sense.
Under the hood, Apple is building a new operating system centered entirely around Siri. The goal is a more natural, conversational way to control lights, locks, thermostats, cameras, and the rest of your HomeKit ecosystem. Expect deep integration with Apple’s ecosystem — the device will support FaceTime calls, and a built-in facial recognition system will allow it to recognize family members and personalize the experience on the fly (greeting you by name, showing your calendar, playing your preferred music, etc.).
Think of it as the spiritual successor to the original HomePod’s audio prowess combined with the utility of an iPad mini that never needs charging and is always listening (respectfully, of course).
The Tabletop Robot: A Moving 9-Inch Smart Display
The second, more ambitious device takes the same core concept and supersizes it. It sports a larger ~9-inch screen and attaches to a robotic limb that can tilt, pan, and move the display to follow you around the room.
This mobility should make it dramatically better for video calls — the screen can literally turn to face whoever is speaking, creating a far more natural FaceTime or Zoom experience than static smart displays. Beyond videoconferencing, the robot could follow you while you cook, read recipes aloud, display security camera feeds as you move through the house, or even act as a helpful companion for kids or elderly family members.
Because it’s larger and more capable, this model is expected to command a higher price point, positioning it as a premium smart home centerpiece rather than an everyday speaker replacement.
Why This Matters
These two devices represent Apple’s clearest attempt yet to move beyond simple voice assistants and into the “ambient computing” era. By combining premium audio, high-quality displays, facial recognition, and (in one case) physical movement, Apple is betting that context-aware, personalized smart home interfaces will finally feel magical rather than gimmicky.
The new Siri-centric OS is particularly important. For years, Siri has lagged behind competitors in natural language understanding and proactivity. A dedicated operating system built from the ground up for home control could finally let Apple deliver on the intelligent assistant promise it first made years ago.
Expected Timeline and Pricing
While Apple has not officially announced either device, reports point to launches possibly as soon as late 2026 or 2027. The smaller Smart Home Hub is likely to be the more affordable of the pair, potentially starting around the price of a current high-end HomePod, while the robotic model will probably cost significantly more given its mechanical complexity.
These developments have been closely tracked by Bloomberg News‘ Mark Gurman, who has been reporting on Apple’s smart home ambitions for well over a year. Most recently, Gurman has provided ongoing updates on the devices’ development, manufacturing plans in Vietnam, and timelines (with the smaller hub potentially arriving as soon as next year and the robotic model to follow). His reporting remains the most consistent and detailed source on these forthcoming products.
MacDailyNews Take: If these devices deliver on their promise, they could reshape not just Apple’s smart home lineup but the entire market. A privacy-focused robotic FaceTime companion that follows you around the house? That’s the kind of future-looking product Apple has built its reputation on. Stay tuned — the smart home is about to get a lot more interesting.
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