Apple Smart Home Vision Unveiled: Tabletop Robots and Advanced Security

Apple has been long rumored to be developing a touchscreen-equipped smart home device. Recently, it has come to light that the company's aspirations might stretch beyond merely enhancing HomePods with screens. Reports now hint at the potential release of a "tabletop robot." This innovative device is said to feature a design resembling an iPad mounted on a movable limb, capable of repositioning itself to follow users around a room. Equipped with a 7-inch display and a built-in camera for FaceTime, this device might become an integral part of Apple’s smart home lineup by 2027.

These innovations might not stop at just robots. Apple is allegedly venturing into the realm of home security, exploring the development of cameras and smart doorbells powered by facial recognition technology. This technology could enable automation in tasks like unlocking doors, turning off lights, and setting the mood with music.

Drawing comparisons with Amazon’s ventures into smart home products, such as the Astro robot and extensive security systems branded under Blink and Ring, Apple's approach could redefine the smart home landscape. Though Amazon recently scaled back its hardware investments, Apple seems intent on forging ahead.

Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, is set for a significant overhaul fueled by advanced language models, akin to those seen in ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot. A more personalized Siri, initially planned for iOS 18, is now expected to debut with this year’s updates. The assistant is being tested in two versions: "Linwood," utilizing Apple's internally developed model, and "Glenwood," which incorporates external models like Anthropic's Claude.