According to a new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is planning to launch the Home Hub as early as October, or as late as early next year. Unsurprisingly, the new Siri AI will be its major selling point.
The device is essentially a HomePod-like smart speaker with a 7-inch display. It will reportedly run an entirely new operating system based on Apple’s tvOS, with the interface being a mix of tvOS, watchOS, and iOS design languages.
It will feature a grid of icons, widgets, and apps, along with customizable clock faces. Apple expects users to buy multiple units and place them in rooms across the house. The Home Hub will be available in both tabletop and wall-mounted versions.
The Home Hub will include built-in cameras with facial recognition, capable of identifying who is speaking to it and delivering personalized information. As you approach the device or walk away, the size of the UI elements will adjust accordingly.
The device will support FaceTime video calls, home security monitoring, and will come with an intercom system for households with multiple units. In the future, an enhanced version of the Home Hub could feature a 9-inch display and a robotic arm that lets it move its screen around to track more people or objects during a FaceTime call.
Today’s report also claims that Apple is still working on an in-home security camera to compete with Amazon’s Ring products, as well as a new Apple TV set-top box and an improved HomePod mini speaker. The Apple TV and the HomePod mini will allegedly be launched this fall.
