Apple has been working on a smart home hub with a display for years – and the hardware is considered ready. Internally codenamed HomePad, the device combines a HomePod speaker with an iPad-like touchscreen and recognizes who is standing in front of it. However, it's the last of the upcoming Home devices to be released.
Apple has long been a spectator in the smart home market, while Amazon and Google set the pace with displays, cameras, and hub devices. Apple's own home ecosystem has so far been limited to the HomePod, HomePod mini, and Apple TV as control centers. This is changing with the HomePod. Internally developed under the codename J490, the device has reportedly been ready for months, according to several sources – its launch was only delayed by the wait for the completely revamped, AI-powered Siri experience. It is now considered ready for launch, along with the new Apple TV and the HomePod mini, but will be the last of the three to arrive. The roadmap for this smart home offensive extends to 2028.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Expectation |
|---|---|
| Product | Smart home hub with 7-inch display |
| Code name | J490 |
| Chip | A18 (Apple Intelligence-enabled) |
| Display | 7-inch, square, Touchscreen |
| Camera | Ultra-wide angle camera with Face ID for multi-user recognition |
| Design | Table model with hemispherical base and wall mounting via magnetic system |
| Software | proprietary system based on tvOS, interface with tvOS and watchOS elements |
| Market launch | October 2026 to early 2027 |
| Price | Estimated price around US$350, European price open. |
Two designs: table and wall
Apple is developing the HomePad in two versions. The desktop model places the display on a hemispherical base with a speaker, visually reminiscent of the HomePod mini – intended for the kitchen, bedroom, or desk, anywhere quick access to information and music control is needed. The wall-mounted model uses a new magnetic system and becomes the central smart home panel on the wall; a prototype with quick-mounting and integrated doorbell has already been described. The display measures approximately seven inches in a square format – about the size of two iPhones placed side by side.
Chip and software
According to leaked Apple code, the HomePad will be powered by the A18 chip – the same processor as in the iPhone 16. This would make the device powerful enough for Apple intelligence features, most notably Siri AI with natural conversational capabilities. The software is expected to be a standalone system based on tvOS, with a user interface that blends elements from tvOS and watchOS – including apps, icons, and widgets. Customizable watch faces, similar to those on the Apple Watch, will also be available. References to the ChatKit framework in the code suggest that the HomePad could support iMessage and text messaging, features currently missing from Apple TV and HomePod.
Camera and facial recognition
The built-in front camera goes beyond simple video calls. Center Stage and 1080p video are supported for FaceTime. The real unique selling point is facial recognition: the device is designed to recognize who is looking at the display, determine the distance, and adjust the interface accordingly in real time. The size and type of information displayed change depending on who is standing in front of it and how close – including personal calendars, notes, and custom music.
This would be the first Apple screen to actively identify its user and adjust the display accordingly. Face ID on iPhones and iPads only unlocks a device assigned to a single person; a living room screen that distinguishes between multiple household members follows a different logic – and raises the question of where the biometric data is processed. Furthermore, the recognition could trigger automations, such as starting appropriate HomeKit scenes when someone arrives home. The fact that Apple has internally developed an app to measure recognition accuracy underscores the importance of this feature.
The HomePad as the central hub for the smart home
The HomePad is positioned as the central hub for the entire Apple Home ecosystem. HomeKit and Matter devices can be controlled directly via its display, Thread support enables direct communication with compatible devices without an additional hub, and Siri, at its core, handles voice control for lights, thermostats, locks, and cameras – noticeably more powerful than before. The device is designed to work seamlessly with the planned Apple Security Camera for indoor use, which is also part of the smart home push. This push also includes the new HomePods and the redesigned Apple TV. The fact that the software foundation is in place was demonstrated at WWDC: There, Apple expanded the Home app to include, among other things, smarter notifications for security camera alerts.
What the HomePad can – and can't – do
In addition to smart home control, the HomePad is designed to play music and podcasts, make FaceTime video calls, display weather, calendar and reminders, show photos as a digital picture frame, manage notes and timers, and send and receive iMessages. What's deliberately missing: a full-fledged App Store. Apple is focusing on curated features rather than an open platform, clearly concentrating the device on smart home functionality, communication, and quick access to information.
When the HomePad is expected to be released
Originally planned for early 2025, the HomePad was then pushed back to spring 2026 and finally to the second half of the year – each time due to delays surrounding the AI-powered Siri experience. The hardware has been considered complete for months. With the unveiling of Siri AI at WWDC, the last remaining uncertainty has been eliminated: The feature has been available for testing in developer betas since the conference and will be released in September with the new operating systems.
The HomePod, however, stands out in terms of timing. While Apple TV and HomePod mini are slated for autumn, the latest report indicates a timeframe for the smart home hub sometime between October and early next year. A launch as late as 2027 is therefore explicitly not ruled out. The stage for the unveiling is less likely to be the already packed September keynote surrounding the iPhone 18 Pro, but rather an October event primarily focused on the Mac – a simple press release would be an unusual approach for a completely new product category anyway.
How much the HomePad will cost
Initial estimates suggest a price of around $350. However, the obvious conversion to approximately €399 is not very helpful: During the June price increase, the Apple TV 4K rose from $129 to $199 in the US, but from €169 to €229 in Germany – the price increases vary depending on the market. Therefore, the European price of the HomePad cannot be derived from the dollar estimate.
In terms of price, Apple would position the HomePad significantly below an iPad and as a standalone smart home device rather than a tablet replacement. Compared to similar smart displays from Amazon and Google, which are usually considerably cheaper, Apple's HomePad is priced higher – but in return offers deep integration into its own ecosystem.
Siri AI in the EU: the open question
For the German-speaking market, one caveat remains, and it carries more weight for a voice-controlled device than for others. Siri AI will not initially launch on iPhones and iPads in the EU; Apple has announced the feature for macOS 27 and visionOS 27 in these regions as well. The specific factors that determine its introduction on iPhones and iPads are extensively documented.
The exclusion is not based on device category. The Digital Markets Act does not name products, but rather core platform services: For Apple, these have been the App Store, iOS, and Safari since September 2023, and iPadOS since April 2024. tvOS is not on this list, and the interoperability obligation under Article 6(7), on which the introduction of Siri AI depends, explicitly refers to functions controlled by iOS and iPadOS. Another operating system would only be added through a separate Commission procedure. Since the HomePad system is based on tvOS, there is currently little reason to believe that it will be subject to the same restriction in Germany and Austria. Switzerland is neither an EU nor an EEA member state and is not covered by the DMA. Talks between Apple and the European Commission are ongoing, but a date for a resolution has not yet been set.
The bigger hurdle in practice is likely to be the language: Siri AI will initially launch in English, with other languages to follow gradually. A device whose operating concept relies heavily on voice thus loses a significant portion of its appeal as long as German is unavailable.
Outlook: the robot hub for 2027 or 2028
Besides the HomePad, Apple is reportedly working on a more ambitious variant: a larger display on a movable robotic arm that can follow the user around the room. The latest report mentions a nine-inch display and positions the device as a higher-end version of the smart home hub. Internally, it's codenamed J595. No timeframe is given; earlier reports place the launch in 2027 or 2028. The concept is considered risky and is said to still be in an early testing phase – making it the most spectacular and furthest-moving part of the strategy.
Who is the HomePad intended for?
The HomePad is aimed at anyone who wants to control their home centrally without constantly having to reach for their iPhone or iPad. It doesn't replace either device, but rather expands the ecosystem with a fixed hub in the home. It's particularly interesting for households with multiple Apple users: Facial recognition allows each family member to receive personalized content without having to log in.
If you want to keep your smart home entirely within the Apple ecosystem, the HomePad, along with the new HomePods and the Security Camera, could become the centerpiece of a fully connected home. However, you should be prepared for a wait: of the three Home devices ready for launch, this is the only one without a fixed autumn release window. (Image: Shutterstock / RossHelen)
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