Apple’s upcoming Smart Home Hub has been in the news for months. Earlier, some sources leaked a handful of details about the smart home device. A new Bloomberg report has now shed light on the new Apple Home Hub device’s expected launch window and the price tag. If the report is correct, the upcoming product will be Apple’s most expensive device in this segment. Additionally, the source has shared details about other upcoming Apple smart home devices.
Apple is developing two versions of the next smart Home Hub device
According to the report, Apple is working on two versions of its upcoming smart home hub. The first model, code-named J490, features a display mounted on a speaker base, resembling a HomePod mini with a screen. The source suggests that Apple has designed the second model, known as J491, for wall mounting purposes.
Apple finished developing the wall-mounted version shortly after completing the tabletop model. Sources suggest that both the J490 and J491 will include a FaceTime camera and a smart interface that adapts to the user. The system could recognize users as they approach, automatically adjusting the display and features to match their profile.
Apple is reportedly aiming for a $350 price tag for the upcoming Home Hub, making it around $50 pricier than the current second-generation HomePod. Apple plans to produce its upcoming smart home devices in Vietnam as part of its ongoing strategy to reduce dependence on Chinese manufacturing.
A 9-inch Home Hub device with a robotic arm is also in the works
In line with the earlier leaks, the new report suggests that Apple is developing a tabletop robot with a motorized arm. The upcoming robot looks similar to Apple’s home hub. It will have a larger 9-inch display and a motorized arm. The arm can move the screen around a user’s desk or workspace.
The advanced parts of the robot are likely to make it cost several hundred dollars. The device will likely have a hefty price tag closer to the $1,000 mark. That said, Apple is unlikely to introduce this product before the end of 2027, meaning that many changes could occur in the meantime.
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