Apple Home

Apple saw cars, the home, spatial computing, and services as avenues to expand outside of its usual hardware business. With Apple Car gone and robotics being years away from prime time, Apple's focus is on Apple Home and the future of the smart home.

Robotics will likely have a role in several of Apple's product lines, but the one it will affect most is the home. Early research shows Apple wants to develop products with personality, like a dancing lamp.

Before we get there, rumors point to a so-called "Home Hub" — a small tablet users mount to various locations around the home. Robotics will get a piece of that ecosystem too with an Apple Intelligence powered arm mount.

Today, Apple Home is made up of only the HomePod, HomePod mini, and Apple TV 4K. Apple doesn't make any other home product, but it offers HomeKit and support for Matter and Thread, so there are all kinds of smart home devices that integrate with Apple's products.

As Apple expands its interest in the home, there are sure to be more products and categories under the Apple Home umbrella. Rumors also suggest that a HomeOS is expected at any point to unify Apple's home hardware strategy.

Apple's modular, robotic, AI "Home Hub"

There isn't a good placeholder name for this product, and yes, home hubs exist as an object within HomeKit, but we'll refer to the 7-inch tablet device as the Home Hub for now given its functionality. This long-rumored device has gone through many iterations over the years, but its final form has taken shape recently.

Apple's future Home Hub could be a tablet that mounts to stands and speakers

When Apple first revealed the HomePod, rumors started almost immediately about a potential "HomePod with a display." Such a product never materialized, but it didn't stop the slow and incessant rumors suggesting it could happen.

As soon as 2022 rumors still referred to this product as a speaker dock that an iPad would be set in. It was delayed internally until what has been rumored since 2024 took shape — a 7-inch display that users carry throughout the home and mount to various accessories.

This low-priced (around $200) tablet wouldn't run iPadOS or traditional apps — instead, it would function as an informational display. The best way to think about it is active versus passive computing.

Active computing requires input from the user, like on iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Users swipe around apps, navigate UI, and "use" the device.

StandBy mode on iPhone could be a precursor to Home Hub UI

Passive computing is more informational, contextual, and, hopefully, automatic. For example, a smart display like the Home Hub would show the now-playing music's album art without the user needing to configure it or open an app.

Think iPhone's StandBy mode but on a 7-inch tablet.

The Home Hub would swap between views as needed, whether it was a passive photo frame when nothing was going on, an indicator for changing home statuses, doorbell camera viewer, scorekeeper for a game you're interested in, recipient step viewer, or weather alert system — it intelligently shows what's needed. Users would, of course, be able to request data too with Siri commands, like "show me the weather" or "how much time is left on that timer?"

Users would also be able to make FaceTime calls, send iMessages, create reminders, or do other things that Siri generally handles with HomePod. Some expect Apple Intelligence and app intents from other devices may power what can be shown on the Home Hub.

Apple's robotic lamp demo could result in a Home Hub arm with AI. Image source: Apple

Apple would theoretically sell more than one of these products to a single household. Users would carry one around the home to magnetically attach the monitor to a stand, articulating arm, wall mount, or speaker as needed.

Home Hub likely wouldn't be pitched as an alternative to using an iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch in the home. Instead, it'll be set up as a passive reference device that keeps information available while freeing up your ability to use other devices in tandem.

The device would also likely be pitched as a way to let kids and guests access home controls and media. People from an older generation might even call this a replacement kitchen television.

Apple will have to create a compelling pitch for the Home Hub since many may assume their existing devices are enough. Perhaps combining services, Apple Intelligence, and robotics will give it an edge in marketing.

Apple Doorbell Camera

Apple is rumored to be working on a video doorbell that would include facial recognition features as well as Face ID to unlock the door. The device is said to be Apple's first push into the smart home with a branded product.

The Logitech CircleView Doorbell has facial recognition via HomeKit Secure Video

HomeKit Secure Video cameras and doorbells already have the ability to recognize people's faces. These cameras utilize the face recognition data in Apple Photos to name individuals, like when they ring the doorbell or trigger a sensor.

The Apple smart doorbell would likely build on this system or have a deeper integration. The other ecosystem benefit would be Face ID, which would unlock the door automatically if a registered user is detected.

Locks are not foolproof since all you need is the key or phone with Express HomeKey to access the home. Users could eliminate potential failure points by requiring Face ID to enter the home.

Face ID could make its way to an Apple-branded doorbell

Or, if the user wanted even more security, they could combine Face ID authentication with a HomeKey tap before a door unlocks.

A rumor suggests that MagSafe may be involved in the doorbell feature set, but it isn't clear how. If Apple enables reverse wireless charging in the iPhone 17 Pro, it could be a way to power the doorbell if the battery is dead or power is out.

Of course, doorbells aren't exactly critical equipment, but if it is tied to your ability to enter the home via face recognition, there may be times you'll need the feature. Others assume it could be related to mounting or providing power, but that may leave the doorbell too easy to steal.

If the Home Hub launch goes well, Apple could release its smart doorbell as soon as 2026.

Previous rumors suggested Apple was working on a smart bulb. If the smart doorbell is successful, Apple could look into releasing more in-house HomeKit products with deeper integrations into the overall ecosystem.

Apple TV 4K

The Apple TV 4K is the sixth-generation of Apple's set-top box. It runs the A15 processor, supports 4K HDR, and acts as a HomeKit hub with Thread connectivity.

Apple TV 4K and Siri Remote

First and foremost, Apple TV is an entertainment platform that can run streaming services like Apple TV+, Netflix, and Disney+. Users can also purchase content on the Apple TV store, listen to Apple Music, use Apple Fitness+, or utilize many third-party apps and services.

Apple's initial pitch for the modern Apple TV was that it would be built around apps and the App Store. That has mostly not panned out as customers download the same handful of streaming apps and nothing else. Games are there, but users are more likely to turn to game consoles.

There's also the Siri Remote that charges via USB-C. It has a touch-sensitive surface that's a trackpad for navigation, but also works as a jog wheel.

A next-generation Apple TV could include an A18 processor or newer with Apple Intelligence functionality. Since HomePod will never contain such a powerful chip, Apple could rely on the streaming box to handle AI requests in the home.

HomePod & HomePod mini

Apple's first real investment in the home was the HomePod, which was followed up by the HomePod mini. The expensive larger model was briefly discontinued, but a new version was released with feature parity with the HomePod mini.

HomePod and HomePod mini bring lots of smarts to every room

The speakers are primarily operated through voice controls via Siri. They are also AirPlay 2 speakers that can play music directly from Apple Music or stream from a device like an iPhone.

Apple also allows users to designate HomePods as home hubs. The second-generation HomePod and the HomePod mini both have Thread radios that help keep HomeKit products communicating without any dead zones.

The smart speakers also include sensors for temperature and humidity, so users can see these stats for every room a HomePod is used.

HomePods can also be paired as a stereo pair to increase their capabilities for reproducing spatial sound. Users can pair HomePods with an Apple TV so that they are used for audio output, and if ARC is used, other devices like a game console can play audio through them too.

HomeKit

Apple's HomeKit protocol was introduced in the early days of the smart home. It allows users to view and control smart home products within the Home app and via Siri.

HomeKit brings smart devices to your home and can be controlled by the Apple Home app

HomeKit has evolved over the years to accept more product categories. It now works with Matter products and utilizes Thread to enable low-power devices to operate and create an independent network.

At first, Apple referred to HomeKit as the API and the devices as one and the same — "certified for HomeKit." Now, Apple has shifted to "certified for Apple Home" to make the naming scheme more marketing-friendly.

Thanks to Matter, more devices than ever are available to interoperate with a user's Apple Home. Light bulbs, cameras, sensors, and more connect to gather for an automation-enabled network of smart devices.

The next major device joining Apple Home is the robotic vacuum cleaner and mop category. Users will be able to select specific modes or functions.

It's a slow rollout and users may need new hardware to get the HomeKit functionality, but it's possible to set up. As Apple invests more in the smart home, expect more categories of devices to join Apple Home.