Apple is preparing to take a new step in the smart home starting with a rumored smart display that could launch next year. That is according to Bloombergis Mark Gurman, who writes in your On Today's newsletter that the display will use a new operating system, called homeOS, which is based on Apple TV's tvOS (very similar to the software that powers HomePods now).
Gurman reports that the display will run Apple apps like Calendar, Notes, and Home, and that Apple has tested prototypes with wall-mount magnets. And it will support Apple Intelligence, something Apple's HomePods don't currently do.
Another recent rumor suggested that an upcoming “HomeAccessory” device would be square-shaped and that users could use hand gestures from afar to control it, such as ai-more/”>9to5Mac wrote earlier this week. AND MacRumors has reported apparent code references to the device and homeOS.
A display like this sounds more realistic than Apple's robotic display idea. It might also be less complicated and hopefully less expensive than trying to use an iPad as a dedicated smart home controller (I've tried – not a great experience!). We'll find out if and when it releases, which it doesn't. It sounds terribly far away.
