The main focus, according to Gurman, is on smart home management, AI and communication. Likely running on the rumored homeOS this device — which Gurman thinks might be called HomePad — will feature several popular iOS apps but no Apple App Store. Pre-installed apps include Safari, Notes, Calendar and Music.
One of the most interesting things Gurman talked about is how the OS responds to people in the room. It wouldn’t be a new category of Apple product if it didn’t do something novel, and homeOS does something quite simple yet elegant. The device allegedly adjusts its display according to how many people are nearby and how close they are to the display.
He has made the device a priority for the company’s engineering and design departments, and is pushing to get it to market after more than three years of development.
As for the communication aspect of the device, expect FaceTime to be one of the biggest selling points. It also interfaces neatly with other Apple products and will help manage your entire home.
Release and accompanying products
The device will come out around the same time Apple Intelligence finishes rolling out. | Video credit — Apple
The device also isn’t intended to be a standalone product though it can definitely be used as one. Gurman says multiple displays will allow the system to form an intercom system throughout the house. There are also some tasks that can only be carried out if the device is paired with an iPhone.
Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple is getting ready to launch smart home IP cameras in 2026. Meanwhile, Gurman says the smart home device will heavily lean into security applications and will interface with cameras. Put two and two together and it’s quite clear that Apple wants both new products to eventually supplement each other.
If Apple manages to keep the price of this device as well as the cameras at reasonable levels, we could see both product lines become a hit. Play the cards right and Apple could probably meet its expectations of selling tens of millions of these devices each year too.
Let’s just hope we don’t have another Apple car fiasco on our hands.
