Apple's Smart Display Still in Development, iOS 18.6 Beta Reveals

A newly discovered asset in the iOS 18.6 beta suggests that Apple is continuing development on its long-awaited smart home display. According to 9to5Mac, the latest beta includes a file that appears tied to the company's unreleased homeOS platform.

The file in question—located at /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/ProgressUI.framework/apple-logo-1088@2x~home.png—includes a notable suffix: "~home." This tag is typically used by Apple to identify assets related to its unreleased homeOS platform, which recently made headlines following a trademark filing.

The filename may also provide clues about the device's resolution. The number 1088, paired with the @2x designation, implies a screen width of 2176 pixels—just shy of the iPad mini's 2266-pixel display. That's especially interesting given that previous reports had Apple testing homeOS on the iPad mini internally.


Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said Apple's smart display will feature a 7-inch screen. If both that size and the inferred resolution hold true, the device would offer a slightly lower pixel density than the iPad mini—a reasonable trade-off for something designed to be viewed at a distance, and possibly a cost-saving measure as well.

Despite clear signs of ongoing development, there's still no official timeline for the product's debut. According to earlier reports, the launch is currently on hold due to complex engineering work—especially around the advanced Siri functionality it's expected to feature. Those Siri enhancements have now been delayed until 2026.

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