{"id":67143,"date":"2026-04-23T19:34:38","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T17:34:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.apfelpatient.de\/?p=67143"},"modified":"2026-04-23T19:35:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T17:35:40","slug":"six-new-apple-product-categories-in-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.apfelpatient.de\/en\/rumors\/sechs-neue-apple-produktkategorien-in-entwicklung","title":{"rendered":"Apple is working on six completely new product categories"},"content":{"rendered":"

In an interview, Mark Gurman revealed the list of Apple products the company is currently developing in entirely new categories. Six products are on the list \u2013 some slated for release as early as 2026, others not until the end of the decade. A rare glimpse into Apple's long-term hardware pipeline.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apple releases new iPhone models every year and updates its iPad and Mac lineups \u2013 but completely new product categories are rare. When Apple introduces a new device category, it typically takes years of preparation. Mark Gurman has now revealed in an interview with the tech podcast TBPN<\/a> which new categories Apple is currently working on. Six projects are on the list \u2013 and they clearly show where Apple wants to go in the coming years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gurman is Bloomberg's Apple correspondent and considered one of the most reliable sources for Apple inside information. In the discussion about Apple's CEO change from Cook to Ternus<\/a>, he addressed Apple's product pipeline. Six major new Apple product categories are in development, according to Gurman. The list is an interesting mix of short-term and long-term projects \u2013 and shows how broadly Apple is planning for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The six new product categories<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here is the complete list that Gurman mentioned:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. AI AirPods<\/strong> \u2013 AirPods with integrated cameras and AI features<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Smart Glasses<\/strong> \u2013 Apple's own answer to Meta Ray-Ban<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Pendant<\/strong> \u2013 A portable pendant with AI functions<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Smart Display<\/strong> \u2013 The so-called \"HomePad\" as an Apple home hub<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Tabletop robot<\/strong> \u2013 A stationary Apple Home robot<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Security camera<\/strong> \u2013 Apple's first own security camera<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    A note on the first category: Strictly speaking, AI AirPods are not an entirely new product category \u2013 they remain AirPods, just with more features. The other five projects, however, are products for which Apple currently has no offering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The near future pipeline: Smart Glasses and HomePad<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    According to recent reports, two of the six products are nearing launch. The Apple Glasses are expected to be announced<\/a> at the end of 2026, but the actual sales launch might not occur until 2027. According to Gurman, Apple already has four different<\/a> glasses designs in the testing phase \u2013 a strategy reminiscent of the Apple Watch launch in 2015.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The smart display \u2013 internally codenamed "HomePad" \u2013 is expected to be released later this year. Apple might even unveil it during the iPhone 18 event in September. The device is intended to serve as a central control unit for the Apple Home ecosystem and directly compete with Amazon's Echo Show and Google's Nest Hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The new AI AirPods<\/a> are also part of the near-term pipeline. Apple plans to position them as an additional premium variant above the AirPods Pro 3. Their main feature: integrated infrared cameras that enable Apple intelligence functions such as visual recognition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The longer-term pipeline: pendant, robot, camera<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The counterpart is an interesting candidate. Gurman had previously reported on this device \u2013 a wearable pendant as an alternative to the AI AirPods and Apple Glasses. According to previous reports, all three products rely heavily on an iPhone connection for Siri and other AI features. The counterpart is aimed at users who don't want to wear glasses or cameras on their heads \u2013 but who still want to use AI functions in their everyday lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The tabletop robot is perhaps Apple's most unusual project. The device is intended to function as a stationary Apple Home robot, featuring a movable screen and AI integration. According to Gurman, the launch is planned for 2027, but could be delayed until 2028. This aligns with Apple's approach to complex products: preferring a later release with a compelling result rather than launching too early with unfinished software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Apple Security Camera is the third Home product on the list. Apple is thus entering into competition with Amazon Ring, Google Nest, and other established providers. A concrete launch date is still pending, but Gurman expects a presentation sometime in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Apple Home trio<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Three of the six categories \u2013 smart displays, tabletop robots, and security cameras \u2013 are all Apple Home products. This demonstrates how strongly Apple is focusing on this segment. The company currently lacks a strong position in the smart home market, while Amazon and Google dominate with their Echo and Nest devices. With these three new categories, Apple clearly aims to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Whether this succeeds depends heavily on the revamped Siri<\/a>. Smart home devices only truly function if the voice control is convincing \u2013 and this is precisely where Apple has had major problems in recent years. If Ternus, as CEO, improves Siri's quality, all Apple Home products will receive a boost. If not, Apple will remain a niche player in this market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What this reveals about Apple's future<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The list of six products provides a clear insight into Apple's future strategy. Three patterns are discernible:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    First<\/strong>: Apple is investing heavily in AI wearables. Glasses, AirPods with cameras, and similar devices are all designed to make AI accessible in everyday life \u2013 each with a different form factor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Secondly<\/strong> : Apple's diversification isn't accidental, but strategic. A single device is unlikely to reach all users. Therefore, Apple is developing several form factors simultaneously \u2013 allowing the market to choose which one is most successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Third<\/strong>: The home is becoming a new focus area. While iPhones and Macs will continue to dominate the business, Apple is clearly investing in the smart home sector. The timing is interesting \u2013 AI features are finally making smart home devices truly useful, and Apple doesn't want to miss the opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For Apple fans, this is an exciting prospect. The next two to three years will bring Apple products that will take the company into areas where it has previously had little presence. How Ternus, as CEO, shapes this transformation<\/a> will be one of the defining questions of his early tenure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Anyone looking for a complete overview of Apple Glasses \u2013 one of the six categories mentioned \u2013 will find a continuously updated summary of all rumors<\/a> here. (Image: Shutterstock \/ Champhei)<\/p>\n\n\n\n