Robotic Apple Home Hub could have square display

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in General Discussion edited September 27

Apple's rumored Frankenstein-like Home Hub with the body of a HomePod, neck of a robot, and iPad head could have a more square display according to a new rumor.

Tablet displaying app icons for streaming services, photos, music, and utilities, mounted on a cylindrical speaker, with a plant on the right and books on the left.
A new Home Hub device could combine aspects of HomePod and iPad



From the ashes of the Apple Car project arose a new robotics division that is allegedly working on AI-powered arms and robot companions. One device is expected to be the long-awaited Apple Home Hub, a combination iPad HomePod.

This internally labeled "HomeAccessory," codenamed J490, will be powered by an A18 processor and have a square-ish display. The details come from an anonymous source speaking to 9to5Mac.

The new device would support Apple Intelligence, recognize users via the camera, and respond to gestures. It has been pitched as a hybrid product combining the usefulness of HomePod and iPad powered by a more intelligent Siri.

Like competing options, customers would place the product in a common space like the kitchen to use it as a smart display. It could show recipes, play a TV show, or make a FaceTime call and be controlled with voice, touch, or hand gestures.

The rumored Home Hub device would cost around $1,000, but that's the estimate for the robotic arm option. Apple could also offer a version with a static display at a more reasonable price.

There is no indication of if or when Apple would announce the robotic Home Hub. It is likely a 2025 or later device.

Rumor Score: Possible

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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 9
    12Strangers12Strangers Posts: 74member
    I cannot see Apple releasing something that fugly.
    forgot usernamewilliamlondon
  • Reply 2 of 9
    darbus69darbus69 Posts: 47member
    only AppleInsider would😉
    williamlondon
  • Reply 3 of 9
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,598member
    I cannot see Apple releasing something that fugly.
    I suspect it will look fairly similar to and offer many of the same features of the Google Nest Hub Max. It's a decent looking product, very good sound and a good screen size. Loads of functionality, but none of it all that difficult for Apple to integrate into their own version.  They already offer most of the basics, just needing to figure out the security cam and a more inclusive media streamer that includes live TV. 
    edited September 26
  • Reply 4 of 9
    applesauce007applesauce007 Posts: 1,703member
    A smaller version of the G4 iMac would be awesome!


  • Reply 5 of 9
    ForumPostForumPost Posts: 76member
    Sunny, without the wheels
    williamlondon
  • Reply 6 of 9
    jeffharrisjeffharris Posts: 826member
    applesauce007 said:
    A smaller version of the G4 iMac would be awesome!
    That was my first thought, too!
     
    The G4 iMac was cool and fun to look at. I liked the G4 Mac Cube, too. 
    I had a couple of clients that had both of those Macs.

    It was great the Apple experimented with Mac form factors.
    Now everything is a commodity, which is kinda boring.
  • Reply 7 of 9
    mike1mike1 Posts: 3,409member
    darbus69 said:
    only AppleInsider would😉

    AI really needs to retire that image.
  • Reply 8 of 9
    Cesar Battistini MazieroCesar Battistini Maziero Posts: 386member
    1000 USD is insane.

    Sorry but amazon is making  those for like 150 USD.

    500 USD is the price of an iPad Air.

    400 USD for me is the Max acceptable.
  • Reply 9 of 9
    gadgetfreak-applegadgetfreak-apple Posts: 84member
    I for one welcome our new robotic HomePods 
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