Apple is reportedly developing a dedicated tablet-style display designed to control HomeKit-equipped smart homes. The device would work as a centralized control panel for lights, cameras, sensors, thermostats, and other HomeKit accessories while also handling video calls and general smart-home tasks.
Designed to Live on the Wall
Sources say the portable tablet will have a default placement on the wall, though it will remain usable as a standalone device. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman believes the unit will mirror some of the functions of devices like Amazon’s Echo Show, but with tight integration into Apple’s ecosystem.
Hardware and Features
The tablet is said to resemble an iPad and is reportedly planned for release in March next year. Gurman describes a six-inch panel with thick bezels, a built-in camera, its own battery, and speakers.
Apple is expected to include Siri and Apple Intelligence for voice control. While the device should be functional on its own, initial setup would require an iPhone.
Multiple Mounting Options
Apple has allegedly designed several different bases for the display so it can be mounted on a wall or placed on a specialized stand with enhanced speakers, for example, on a kitchen counter.
A New Operating System
The device reportedly will not run iOS. Instead, Apple is said to be developing a new operating system for the display that will resemble a hybrid of existing Apple platforms.
What does this mean?
If the reports are accurate, Apple’s wall-mountable tablet could offer a more cohesive, centralized way to manage HomeKit devices across a larger smart home, while also supporting everyday functions like video calls and voice interactions.
