Apple has long been rumored to be working on a smart display to compete with Amazon Echo and Google Nest. A new leak suggests that these devices could finally debut in 2025 and will run on an entirely new platform called HomeOS.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claims that Apple is working on not one, but two pairs of smart displays, each designed to bring its AI intelligence capabilities into your home.
Two smart displays from Apple
The first model is reportedly codenamed J595 and is expected to be the premium option of the two. Gourmet previously reported that this model could be equipped with a robotic arm that can tilt and rotate the screen for better viewing.
The second device, codenamed J490, will be a more affordable offering and is said to be designed primarily to run apps such as Calendar, Notes, and Home.
It will also have an interface optimized for controlling home appliances and quickly viewing information. The prototypes of these Apple smart displays are also reportedly capable of being attached to walls or standing on tables using magnets.
The first Apple smart display could appear in 2025
Gourmet suggests that we may see the launch of an affordable model as early as next year. Although the insider does not give a specific release date for the J595, it is expected to cost over a thousand dollars.
Both of these displays are rumored to run Apple’s new HomeOS operating system, which will be built on top of the existing tvOS running on Apple TV devices. The key difference here seems to be the integration of Apple Intelligence features.
Unlike the current Apple TV and HomePod, which lack the hardware to handle artificial intelligence on the device, these smart displays may be able to run some (or all) of these features locally.
Functionally, these Apple smart displays will be similar to Amazon Echo and Google Nest. This is Apple’s usual pattern of entering markets where there is already demand in its own style. Not surprisingly, users who are already in the Apple ecosystem are likely to prefer these upcoming smart devices to existing options.