In an effort to catch up with competitors in the smart home market, Apple is reportedly preparing to launch a new product category—a wall-mounted display that can control home appliances, handle video conferences, and leverage artificial intelligence for navigation. According to insiders, Apple plans to release the product as soon as March next year, positioning it as a central hub for home management. Codenamed “J490,” the device will also focus on the new Apple Intelligence AI platform.

It’s said that this device will be able to control smart home devices, participate in video calls, and more, similar to Amazon’s Echo Hub. The AI-powered wall-mounted display is said to resemble a square iPad in shape, about the size of two iPhones placed side by side, with a 6-inch screen and thick borders. It will be available in silver and black color options.

The front of the device will feature a camera for FaceTime calls, and it will also include a built-in rechargeable battery and speakers. The device is expected to support Siri and Apple Intelligence voice control. It can operate independently, but an iPhone will be required for initial setup.

The product will feature a touch interface that resembles a mix of the Apple Watch’s operating system and the StandBy mode on the iPhone introduced this year. However, Apple anticipates that most users will interact with the device via voice, relying on the voice assistant Siri and Apple Intelligence for navigation.

Reports also indicate that the product will be designed using App Intents, a new framework Apple introduced to help developers integrate Siri and Apple Intelligence into iOS and other Apple system platforms. App Intents allows users to control apps directly via Siri, enabling voice interactions for tasks without opening the apps themselves. Additionally, it enables users to search for app content directly in Spotlight search without needing to open the app.

This product is expected to compete with Amazon’s Echo Show, Echo Hub smart displays, and Alphabet’s (GOOGL.US) Nest Hub. Apple also plans to release a higher-end version equipped with a mechanical arm for moving the screen. The product will be marketed as a home companion with an AI personality. Sources suggest that the price for this high-end version could reach $1,000, while the standard wall-mounted display will be priced closer to the competition—Amazon’s Echo Show 8 is priced at $150, Echo Hub at $180, and Nest Hub Max at $230.

On Tuesday, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo published a blog post saying that Apple is venturing into the smart home network camera (IP camera) market for the first time. The new product is designed to seamlessly integrate with other Apple hardware through wireless connectivity. GoerTek has been selected for new product introduction (NPI) and will be the exclusive assembly supplier.

Kuo’s article states that Apple plans to begin mass production of these cameras in 2026, with a target annual shipment of 10 million units. He mentioned that the current global shipment of smart home network cameras is between 30 to 40 million units annually, and Apple’s long-term goal is to exceed 10 million units in annual shipments for this new product line.

Kuo believes that this strategic move indicates Apple’s continuous exploration of growth opportunities in the home market. He is confident that the user experience of the cameras will be significantly enhanced due to Apple’s strong ecosystem and deep integration with Apple Intelligence and Siri.

How to trade investments on uSMART:

After logging into uSMART SG APP, click "Search" from the upper right corner of the page, enter the target code, such as "TSM", and enter the details page to learn about transaction details and historical trends. Click "Trade" in the lower right corner and select "Buy/Sell" "Send" function, finally fill in the transaction conditions and send the order; the image operation instructions are as follows:

Source: uSMART SG

Follow us

Find us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok for frequent updates on all things investing.

Have a financial topic you would like to discuss? Head over to the uSMART Community to share your thoughts and insights about the market! Click the picture below to download and explore uSMART app！

Important Notice and Disclaimer:

We have based this article on our internal research and information available to the public from sources we believe to be reliable. While we have taken all reasonable care in preparing this article, we do not represent the information contained in this article is accurate or complete and we accept no responsibility for errors of fact or for any opinion expressed in this article. Opinions, projections and estimates reflect our assessments as of the article date and are subject to change. We have no obligation to notify you or anyone of any such change. You must make your own independent judgment with respect to any matter contained in this article. Neither we or our respective directors, officers or employees will be responsible for any losses or damages which any person may suffer or incur as a result of relying upon anything stated or omitted from this article.

This document should not be construed in any jurisdiction as constituting an offer, solicitation, recommendation, inducement, endorsement, opinion, or guarantee to purchase, sell, or trade any securities, financial products, or instruments or to engage in any investment or any transaction of any kind, nor is there any intention to solicit or invite the purchase or sale of any securities.

The value of these securities and the income from them may fall or rise. Your investment is subject to investment risk, including loss of income and capital invested. Past performance figures as well as any projection or forecast used in this article is not indicative of its future performance.

This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore