- A new report suggests Apple will launch an iMac G4-inspired smart display (code-named J490 and J491), an upgraded HomePod mini 2, and a faster Apple TV 4K on October 13.
- The smart display is said to come with a six-inch square screen featuring dynamic facial and voice user recognition, and an OS combining elements of iPadOS, watchOS, and StandBy mode from iOS.
- The new hardware could capitalize on user frustration with Google Home automation bugs and compromises on the Pixel Tablet.
For years, Google and Amazon have dominated the smart home space, with Apple largely sitting on the sidelines. While Apple offered the HomePod and HomePod mini, its lack of a dedicated smart display left Cupertino lagging behind the best smart home ecosystems. Meanwhile, Google has had plenty of runway with the Nest Hub, Nest Hub Max, and its ambitious dockable Pixel Tablet. However, this smart home journey hasn’t been smooth of late, with plenty of complaints arising from Google’s and Amazon’s AI integrations. The room is wide open for disruption, and Apple could be planning to do exactly that this month with new smart home hardware.
According to a Bloomberg report, Apple is finally preparing to launch its long-delayed, full-scale assault on the smart home market on October 13. The offensive includes a brand-new smart display hub, an updated HomePod mini, and a refreshed Apple TV box, with all of these products serving as a hardware showcase for Apple’s revamped, LLM-powered Siri.
