Apple is developing a larger, more advanced version of its recently announced HomeView smart display, according to a new report from The Information. The device, often referred to in reports as the HomeView Ultra (or possibly HomeView Max or HomeView 360), features a 9-inch screen mounted on a motorized arm that can swivel a full 360 degrees.
The design is described as resembling Pixar’s iconic desk lamp or the old iMac G4, with the arm able to turn the display toward whoever is speaking. Internally codenamed J595, the project began around 2019 with relatively modest goals focused on video calls, where the arm would follow a user around a room. Ambitions expanded as Apple looked to integrate more advanced AI capabilities.
Unlike the standard HomeView — which ships next week with a fixed 7-inch square Liquid Retina display that only tilts on a hinge — the Ultra version is expected to use cameras and sensors for greater environmental awareness. Reports indicate it could act more autonomously, such as turning on lights when someone enters a room or even attempting to shoo a cat off a table, while avoiding collisions with nearby objects. It would retain core HomeView features like FaceTime, smart home controls, music playback, and Siri AI personalization that recognizes household members.
Pricing is reported around $1,000 in the U.S., more than three times the $299 cost of the first-generation HomeView (available in tabletop speaker-base or wall-mounted versions). Hardware design has reportedly been largely finalized for about two years, with a prototype in existence, but software feature decisions and internal disagreements have contributed to delays, according to The Information report. Apple is said to hope for a 2027 release, though the timeline could slip into 2028.
The effort aligns with broader interest in home robotics at Apple under new CEO John Ternus. The company has explored other concepts, including a wheeled robot that follows users, an indoor drone, and a laundry-folding machine, though none of those have confirmed release plans. The standard HomeView, announced in mid-October 2026 and powered by an A18 chip with Siri AI, represents Apple’s first dedicated smart display and is positioned as a shared home hub that adapts to different users. The Ultra would serve as a higher-end companion rather than a direct replacement.
MacDailyNews Take: We assume Cupertino is also waiting to see how the Apple HomeView does in the market before supercharging it with a decently sized display and robotic capabilities.
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it needs a face.
not a collection of apps.
a face.