Apple is working on a new operating system – homeOS. The platform is said to be specifically designed for use in the smart home and may be released as early as 2025. Although there's no official confirmation yet, many clues point to Apple working on a dedicated smart home system that can control the entire home via Siri and Apple Home. Here's what's known about homeOS so far, what to expect, and when it might be released.
Over the years, Apple has developed an entire family of operating systems: iOS for the iPhone, iPadOS for the iPad, macOS for the Mac, watchOS for the Apple Watch, tvOS for the Apple TV, and visionOS for the Vision Pro. Each is optimized for its respective hardware but based on a common core. Rumors of another OS called homeOS have been surfacing for years – including in job postings and lines of code. Now the evidence is mounting: homeOS is said to be Apple's new operating system for a planned smart display.
What is homeOS?
HomeOS is – as of now – an operating system for Apple's smart home products that hasn't yet been officially announced. It will likely run on a new device that's a hybrid of an iPad and a HomePod. The display would be the central control point for everything that happens in the smart home. A release date of late 2025 is being discussed, but this depends heavily on how the development of the associated device progresses. Delays are possible, not least due to internal issues with Siri.
Technical basis: tvOS as a foundation
homeOS will likely be based on tvOS, similar to the current HomePod software. The user interface could therefore include familiar elements—for example, the new screensaver controls, the redesigned Control Center, and the Music app with lyrics display. Many of these designs are more suited to an interactive smart display than a television. The question is whether homeOS will eventually replace tvOS and the HomePod software or exist alongside it as a separate platform. There is currently no concrete information on this.
Functions: Central for your smart home
homeOS will be the heart of your smart home. It's designed to help you see who's at the door, whether windows are open, or how to control your blinds. Cooking recipes, news, music, and voice control with Siri are also among the planned features. Apple Home—formerly HomeKit—will be fully integrated. It'll let you control lights, temperature, locks, vacuum cleaners, and much more.
Matter and Thread: The technical standards in the background
homeOS will support Matter, an open smart home standard that enables compatibility with Apple Home, Google Home, and Alexa. Additionally, homeOS serves as a Thread border router. Thread is a wireless protocol that creates a stable, self-organizing mesh network in the home. Apple has already built the necessary hardware into several devices, including the iPhone, Apple TV, and HomePod.
Siri and Apple Intelligence in focus
homeOS will rely heavily on Siri. Voice control will be central and likely based on the next generation of Apple Intelligence. The HomePod already recognizes different voices – homeOS should be able to do this as well. This gives you personalized responses depending on who is speaking. This is especially useful for features like Cooking Mode: You can send a recipe from your iPhone or iPad to homeOS and walk through it step by step using voice commands.
The interface: Adapting depending on the distance
An interesting detail: The homeOS interface could dynamically adapt depending on how close you are to the display. If you're farther away, for example, it would only show a time screensaver. If you get closer, widgets, weather information, music controls, or a home screen would appear. This idea isn't new, but Apple would package it into a high-quality user experience.
These apps are planned
At launch, homeOS will likely primarily support Apple's own apps, including Home, Music, Podcasts, Weather, Photos, News, and Apple TV. Particularly exciting is the new recipe feature recently integrated into Apple Messages. Third-party apps will not be available at launch. This initially limits the possibilities, but could change with a later update like homeOS 2.
When will homeOS be released?
There's no firm date. Two scenarios are currently considered possible. If Apple plans to also switch Apple TV and HomePod to homeOS, it could be presented at WWDC 2025 in the summer. If it's intended exclusively for the new smart display, a release in fall 2025 would be realistic. If there are further delays with the device, homeOS will also be postponed. The advantage: Apple would then have more time to integrate additional features.
homeOS as the control center for your smart home
homeOS is intended to offer Apple users centralized, smart home control. With a focus on Siri, Matter, Thread, and Apple Home, it will be technically well-positioned. The software platform could play a major role in the Apple ecosystem – provided Apple later opens it up to third-party developers. Its success depends heavily on the planned smart display. If all goes according to plan, homeOS will be the new hub for your connected home by the end of 2025. Here you'll find everything you need to get the most out of your Apple devices' smart features – enjoy browsing and trying them out! Looking for the best accessories? Visit our Amazon Storefront and discover a wide variety of products from top providers, including HomeKit-compatible ones! (Image: Shutterstock / RSplaneta)
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