Apple is reportedly working on a premium version of its HomeView smart home hub featuring a motorised screen that can rotate 360 degrees to follow users and respond to interactions.
The development comes days after the technology company introduced HomeView, a desktop smart home hub equipped with a seven-inch display and powered by its Siri artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem, according to Amanz.
The device can reportedly recognise the faces and voices of up to six family members, enabling it to display personalised schedules, support video calls and control connected smart home systems.
Although the current model features Center Stage technology to digitally track users during video calls, its physical screen position must still be adjusted manually using a built-in steel hinge.
According to technology reports citing Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, Apple is developing a more advanced HomeView model that could be launched in 2027 or 2028.
Internally codenamed J595, the premium device is expected to feature a larger, approximately nine-inch display mounted on a motorised robotic arm.
The mechanism would allow the screen to rotate up to 360 degrees and automatically turn towards the person speaking in the room. Voice recognition technology is also expected to help identify users and determine their positions.
The premium variant is anticipated to carry a substantially higher price than the existing HomeView, which retails for US$299 (approximately RM1,290).
Apple has yet to confirm an official launch for the device in Malaysia. Meanwhile, pre-orders have reportedly opened in selected regional markets, including Singapore, with initial deliveries scheduled for Nov 13.
The lack of local availability may be linked to the ongoing development of Apple Intelligence and Siri features, which have yet to be fully optimised for local-language use on the smart home hub.
-AWANI
