Early last year, we saw reports of Apple working on an iPad-esque smart display for its smart home product range. Then last month, reports emerged claiming to have seen code referencing a device called HomeAccessory 17,1 running tvOS. More recently, a Bloomberg report has revealed some more details about this smart display, which certainly makes it a lot more interesting than just another cut-down iPad.
This product will unsurprisingly support some degree of Apple Intelligence features, as well as the Siri digital assistant. The combination of the two will allow it to respond to commands like “look at me”, following which the tablet’s screen will adjust to face the user. This is done via actuators to tilt the screen up and down, as well as spin 360-degrees.
Beyond actuators, this Apple smart home product will also have a robotic limb of some sort. Beyond the fact that it moves around the screen, it’s unclear what specific function this robotic arm will serve, or what use-case scenario is it meant for.
The report also notes that this smart tablet project was given the codename J595 and the green light from Apple executives all the way back in 2022. But it was only recently that work on it was ramped up. But even then, the bitten fruit brand’s marketing group had concerns that people won’t be willing to pay for it. Not surprising, as the report also notes that the brand “is looking to get the price down to around US$1,000”, so it won’t exactly be easily affordable.
Currently, it looks like Apple may be looking to launch this product as soon as 2026 or 2027. So not only is it a long ways away, there are potentially more exciting products that the company may be launching during those years, including a couple of foldable products.
(Source: Bloomberg)
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