The new smart home screen will apparently be small. Gurman writes that it will have an angled square screen on a small base that makes it “reminiscent of the circular bottom of the iMac G4 from a couple of decades ago.” It may have speakers, essentially making it the HomePod with a display that is rumored to be one of Apple's possible smart home futures.
Gurman did not say how much this device could cost, but has implied an “affordable” smart home device with a square screen in the past. Rumors have suggested that Apple will launch a $1,000 model with a robotic arm that moves the screen, but that's not expected until 2026 at the earliest, he reiterates today. Both devices are expected to run custom versions of some Apple apps, such as FaceTime, Calendar and Notes, and work with Apple Intelligence, which Apple's current smart home devices do not support.
I'm aware that I love the look of the iMac G4 (after all, I use one as an external display). And the idea that the rumored robotic display might seem appealing, especially in light of those early Apple ads that had the iMac G4 moving like Pixar's lamp. If Apple releases a cute little smart home version of the iMac G4, robotic or not, that I can leave on my counter to use as timers or YouTube videos while I'm making dinner? It will be very difficult for me to say no to that.
