Apple's Upcoming Smart Home Devices: Smart Display and Interior Camera

In September 2014, Apple introduced iOS 8, which marked the debut of HomeKit, a platform designed to streamline smart home management. A decade later, despite numerous iOS updates, Apple’s smart home ecosystem has only seen the HomePod emerge as a core product. While the Apple TV fits into this space, it predates the HomeKit launch, leaving many wondering about Apple’s broader ambitions in smart home technology. However, significant changes may soon be on the horizon.

Renowned analysts Mark Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo have reported that Apple is developing two new smart home devices: a smart display and an interior smart camera. Leaked details have begun to outline what to expect.

Smart Display

The smart display is expected to feature a 6-inch screen with a square form factor and noticeable bezels. It will support FaceTime video calls via a front-facing camera and come in silver and black options. The interface will allow both touch and voice control, potentially running a new operating system, tentatively named “homeOS,” blending elements from iOS and watchOS.

The device is planned to include built-in speakers and a battery, supporting apps like Safari, Apple Music, Notes, Calendar, Photos, and Apple News. It will provide weather updates, calendar notifications, and options for smart home control. Additionally, users may display selected photos or use it as an intercom when connected with other HomePods in the home. It will be equipped with a sensor to detect nearby presence and adapt displayed information accordingly. Despite these features, it won’t support third-party apps from the App Store. The smart display is set for a potential release in March 2025.

Smart Camera

The second device is an interior smart camera, which will connect wirelessly to the internet and may operate on battery power. It is intended to function as a baby monitor and use AI for user recognition. This camera will be capable of adjusting the smart home environment based on individual preferences, such as lighting, temperature, and music. Apple emphasizes enhanced data security and seamless integration within its ecosystem as key advantages over existing competitors. The smart camera could launch by 2026, with production anticipated in the tens of millions, indicating a high expectation for consumer demand.

Apple’s renewed push into smart home products could mark a pivotal moment for the tech giant’s strategy in this space, bringing innovations that integrate deeply into its well-established ecosystem.