Apple is preparing a massive expansion of its smart home ecosystem. According to a detailed report from Bloomberg, the company is finalizing three new devices driven by a completely overhauled Siri AI. These upcoming releases aim to transform how you control your connected lights, locks, and media by putting a dedicated voice assistant screen directly into your living space.
Two Versions of the New Smart Display
The flagship addition is a dedicated 7-inch square smart hub running a brand new operating system. Think of the interface as a blend of your Apple Watch and Apple TV, featuring a simple grid of widgets, customizable clock faces, and home control shortcuts. Apple plans to release two physical versions of this display. One model features a half-dome base resembling a sliced HomePod mini for tabletop use. The second model is a sleek panel designed to snap directly onto your wall using a magnetic mounting system. Apple envisions users placing multiple units throughout their house for easy intercom access and appliance control.
Advanced Facial Recognition and Siri AI
This new hub goes beyond basic voice commands. It features advanced facial recognition to identify exactly who is looking at the screen. The device can even calculate your distance from the display to adjust the size of the text. If you are standing across the room, the font enlarges for easy reading. As you approach, it switches to show your personal calendar, private notes, and custom media controls. The updated Siri AI will tie directly into your personal information to give you precise, conversational control over all your smart appliances and apps.
Upgraded Apple TV and HomePod Mini
While the new display is the star of the show, Apple is also updating its existing hardware lineup this fall. The new Apple TV and HomePod mini will maintain their current exterior designs but will feature significantly faster internal processors. These hardware bumps are strictly to support the heavy computational demands of the new Siri AI. The Bloomberg report notes that Apple recently raised the prices on these base models to 199 dollars for the Apple TV and 129 dollars for the HomePod mini.
Future Plans for Robotic Screens and Cameras
Looking past this initial wave of products, Apple is already developing two higher-end additions to its smart home roster. A premium version of the smart hub is in the works, featuring a larger 9-inch screen mounted on a robotic limb. This robotic arm will physically move to keep you in the frame during FaceTime video calls, acting much like a personal camera operator. The company is also developing a dedicated indoor security camera system designed to compete directly with platforms like Amazon Ring.