homeOS rumors reveal big plans for Apple smart home devices

Apple may introduce a new operating system that will power several new products. BGR readers are not strangers main operating system. Apple has been promoting this possible software with job listings and even code references since 2021.

But later 9to5Macs Filipe Espósito It was revealed that Apple is working on a square screen “HomeAccessory” with A18 chip for artificial intelligence, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman confirmed this finding and provided more details about this future homeOS update.

Codenamed J490, this product currently has a built-in camera for FaceTime and other video conferencing applications and can recognize remote hand gestures. Interestingly, this rumored product looks like an “entry-level” model of the desktop device (codename J595) that Apple is also rumored to introduce with a price tag around $1,000.

Interestingly, Gurman says that the entry-level device spotted by Espósito could be released next year, with Cupertino bringing Apple Intelligence to home devices. The journalist says the following about these prototypes and possible software:

Both new products are considered collaborations between Apple’s artificial intelligence and home device hardware engineering groups. The low-end smart display is designed to run apps like Calendar, Notes and Home, and will feature an optimized interface for controlling home appliances and seeing information quickly. When developing prototypes, Apple imagined the device magnetically attaching to walls or resting on a table.

What is HomeOS and why is it so important?

homeOS is Apple’s potential new software for all things home. With this, the company can: Rebrand tvOS This new software could even create a sub-branch of tvOS to run more specific home products like desktop devices, HomePods, and other smart home products.

Let’s say Apple makes this change (whether by rebranding tvOS or simply adding new software). In this case, in addition to developing special features for new products, it will also reveal how serious the company is in this new field. When Apple switched from iOS to iPadOS, the iPad started to receive special functions (Stage Manager, Universal Control, Apple Pencil support, etc.). The same thing happened when Apple TVs had their own software and App Store.

It is said that HomeOS may offer a similar path, and of course WWDC could witness this announcement.

These are all the products that can run this new system

Apple has several unreleased products that could benefit from this software:

• HomePod with screen: Several reports highlight a possible HomePod with a screen, which would be an improvement over the current generation. After all, it collects weather and music data etc. can view;
• Square screen with HomePod combination: Espósito’s findings suggest that Apple may soon launch this product with a square screen, desktop arms, a built-in camera, and Apple Intelligence;
• Premium desktop: Gurman explained that Apple developed this $1,000 product as a premium alternative to the Amazon Echo Show.

In addition to these products, HomeOS could also power future Apple TV and HomePod models. This could also be the debut of Apple Intelligence for Apple products in the home.

BGR We will continue to follow the latest rumors regarding these possible new products as well as this unreleased software.