According to Bloomberg, Apple is planning three completely new smart home devices, all of which rely heavily on the revamped AI-powered Siri. At the heart of the lineup is the HomePad, a modular tablet system – flanked by a larger tabletop robot model and an Apple-designed security camera. The release is contingent on the Siri update.
Apple's smart home efforts have been limited in recent years. While Amazon and Google dominate the market with Echo Show and Nest Hub, Apple has remained in a niche position with HomePod and Apple TV as smart home hubs. That's about to change. In the latest "Power On" newsletter, Mark Gurman describes three new hardware categories that Apple is developing in parallel – all dependent on the revamped, Gemini-powered Siri.
The three devices include a modular tablet hub system, a larger version with a movable screen, and Apple's first security camera. According to reports, all three are already hardware-ready – they are simply waiting for Apple to ship the new AI Siri, as the devices would have limited functionality without it.
The HomePad: A modular tablet system
At the heart of it all is the HomePad, a central smart home hub with a 7-inch display. Apple is pursuing an interesting concept: the device is designed to be modular. Three usage scenarios are emerging:
- Table model: The display sits on a speaker base, similar to a souped-up HomePod mini.
- Wall mounting: A MagSafe-like magnetic mount allows attachment to the wall.
- Mobile use: Carry it around the house and magnetically dock it to different bases as needed.
This is significantly more than a "HomePod with a display," as the device is often described. The modular concept is more reminiscent of Google's discontinued Nest Hub Max – with the difference that Apple apparently uses magnets to allow the tablet to be flexibly moved between different bases.
The second option: Tabletop robots with movable displays
The somewhat confusing information from the Bloomberg report: There will also be a larger version with a 9-inch display, equipped with a movable robotic arm. The device is supposed to automatically orient the display towards the user – meaning it won't just be a passive tablet, but an active smart home device.
This tabletop robot variant has been described in previous reports, but as a separate, future product. The intriguing question now is whether these are indeed two separate products or rather two variations of the same concept. If Apple is fully committed to the modular system, both models could share the same magnetic connection points – allowing users to combine multiple HomePads in their home with a single robot model as the central AI hub.
The Apple security camera
The third product in the lineup is a smart doorbell/security camera. While the Bloomberg report doesn't explicitly call it a "doorbell," the description of its features strongly suggests this. Its most important feature is advanced facial recognition powered by Apple Intelligence.
The foundation for this already exists. HomeKit Secure Video can already recognize people based on faces tagged in the Photos app. When someone rings the doorbell, Siri announces the visitor by name. The new camera is intended to significantly refine this function and integrate it with other smart home automations. Scenarios such as: When person X rings the doorbell, the living room light automatically switches on. Or: Certain cameras only record when they detect strangers.
Why scheduling is so complicated
All three products depend directly on the revamped Siri. This is no coincidence – Apple has repeatedly demonstrated in recent years that it will not ship hardware without the corresponding software. The hardware for the HomePad has been production-ready for months, but Apple is waiting for the correct software version.
Apple Foundation Models 2.0 – the Gemini-powered Siri – is expected to be released no later than September 2026. This would allow the three new smart home products to follow shortly after. A unveiling at the iPhone event in September or a separate event in October is likely – similar to how Apple has often held Mac events in the fall after the iPhone launch in the past.
The pressure on the new CEO
A remarkable statement appears in the Bloomberg newsletter: John Ternus, as the new CEO, must introduce "several groundbreaking product categories around AI," otherwise he will be considered a failure. This formulation, however, is a clear exaggeration. Tim Cook, in his 15 years as CEO, established three major new product categories – Apple Watch, AirPods, and Vision Pro. If Ternus were to launch a similar number right at the start, it would be exceptional rather than standard practice.
The AI hype machine is currently generating pressure that doesn't align with Apple's actual business situation. The last two iPhone generations sold well even without a major AI push. The MacBook Neo is also performing exceptionally well – without Apple advertising it with "life-changing AI." Apple's business is robust enough that AI products will be important additions, but they won't determine the company's fate.
What Apple fans can expect
The coming months are exciting for smart home enthusiasts. If Apple does indeed launch the HomePad, a tabletop robot variant, and a security camera simultaneously, the Apple Home ecosystem will become significantly more comprehensive. Together with the also-expected new HomePods and an updated Apple TV 4K, this would represent the biggest smart home offensive since the introduction of the HomePod in 2018.
The exact date of the unveiling remains unknown. A timeframe between September and December 2026 is realistic. Until then, Apple's well-known secrecy continues – along with Bloomberg's confirmation that the products have long been waiting behind the scenes for their debut. (Image: Shutterstock / winnond)
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