Apple developing two new smart display products, launch expected as early as next year

It’s widely been rumored that Apple is working on an all-new smart home device, expected to combine the HomePod with an iPad-like smart display to allow users to run apps such as Calendar, Notes, FaceTime, and Home, with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claiming that inside Apple, two new smart display products are currently being worked on, with one expected to launch as early as next year.

Writing in his weekly Power On newsletter on Sunday, Gurman said “Apple is taking another crack at the smart home market — an area where it’s had mixed results so far. […] The most significant product in development is a tabletop device code-named J595 that combines a robotic limb with a large, iPad-like display. It’s also working on one dubbed J490, a low-end smart display for using FaceTime and controlling home appliances.”

“The latter product is slated to be launched as early as next year. And it could ultimately be the lower-end companion to the robotic device, which may cost $1,000 or more. The Apple Intelligence tools will be at the heart of both products, helping the company bring AI into the home.”

“Both of the new products are considered collaborations between Apple’s artificial intelligence and home device hardware engineering groups. The low-end smart display is designed to run apps like Calendar, Notes and Home, and will include an interface optimized for controlling home appliances and quickly seeing information. When developing prototypes, Apple imagined the device magnetically attaching to walls or sitting atop a desk.”

Previously, Gurman reported how a team of several hundred people inside Apple are dedicated to developing the “high-end tabletop device” that merges an iPad-like display with a robotic arm. The display is said to be able to tilt and rotate 360 degrees using an actuator and a “slim robotic arm” designed to move the large screen.

Apple’s leadership reportedly gave the green light for this project in 2022, with significant progress being made in recent months. The initiative is led by Kevin Lynch, Apple’s vice president of technology, who previously headed the now-defunct Apple Car project. Matt Costello, who oversees HomePod development, is also heavily involved, particularly on the hardware engineering side.