Apple's Smart Home Innovations: Tabletop Robot, Cameras, and More

For years, there have been whispers about Apple's entry into the smart home market, particularly regarding a touchscreen-equipment device. While fans have eagerly awaited more from the company, recent updates indicate that Apple's plans might reach far beyond just adding screens to HomePods.

According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly working on a novel 'tabletop robot.' This innovative device, resembling an iPad on a flexible arm, is designed to move around, keeping a user's attention. Its camera capabilities are set to include features like FaceTime, and prototypes suggest a design akin to an iPad mini with a 7-inch screen. While its launch is tentatively set for 2027, as with all things Apple, timelines can shift.

Gurman adds that other smart home devices from Apple are in the pipeline. These include a smart home gadget resembling a HomePod with a screen, initially planned for 2025, but now potentially scheduled for 2026. This collection of devices will potentially operate on the same underlying software.

Additionally, Apple seems to be exploring the home security domain with the development of smart cameras and doorbells. This hardware is expected to leverage facial recognition to automate tasks like unlocking doors or managing home lighting and audio systems.

These upcoming innovations from Apple are seen as an echo of similar ventures embarked upon by Amazon, such as the Astro robot and the larger Echo Show devices. However, it's worth noting that Amazon has recently trimmed down its hardware projects, perhaps due to investment recovery challenges.

A key component of these developments is Apple's enhancement of Siri. The smart assistant is set to become even more interactive and personal, empowered by large language models akin to ChatGPT and Microsoft's Copilot. Although initial plans aimed for a 2024 release, the rollout was postponed. Gurman suggests that Apple is testing two Siri versions; 'Linwood', developed internally, and 'Glenwood', which employs external models like those from Anthropic.