Apple is reportedly getting ready to enter the smart home market with a new home hub that could be unveiled on October 13th.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is planning to introduce the new smart home device alongside an updated HomePod mini and a refreshed Apple TV. All three products are expected to feature Apple’s revamped Siri AI assistant, with the new smart home hub becoming the main focus of the launch.
The device is expected to feature a 6-inch display that can either be mounted on a wall or placed on a countertop. Gurman reports that it will be roughly as thick as an iPhone and will have bezels similar to those found on older iPad models.
Apple’s design could also take inspiration from the company’s iconic iMac G4. The countertop version is reportedly expected to feature a round metal base containing speakers and microphones, along with a metal arm supporting the display. The design would allow the screen to tilt into different viewing positions.
Apple is also reportedly planning a wall-mounted version. This model is expected to have a slimmer base positioned underneath the display to house the speakers and microphones.
The smart home hub will reportedly use a USB-C power connection and will not include a built-in battery. Apple is also expected to offer the device in its familiar gray aluminum finish.
The software powering the hub is expected to be built around the new Siri AI experience and could offer an interface similar to the iPad. The Messages app, for example, is reportedly being designed with a two-panel layout.
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Beyond messaging, the device could be used to control compatible smart home products, make video calls, play music, display photo slideshows, and make intercom-style calls around the home. Apple is also reportedly working on voice and facial recognition features that could allow the hub to identify different household members.
Apple’s New Smart Home Hub Could Launch on October 13
