Apple's Robotic Home Hub Slated for 2027, Smart Display and Camera Arriving This Year [Report]

Apple is preparing its most significant expansion yet in the living room, with new hardware expected to launch later this year. While the company is on track to release a standard smart display to challenge Amazon's Echo Show and Google's Nest Hub, a more advanced robotic hub with a motorized display is reportedly not scheduled to arrive until 2027, contrary to recent speculation.



According to Mark Gurman, Apple currently has three major home devices in active development. The first to arrive will likely be a smart home hub featuring a roughly 7-inch display, known internally as J490 and J491. This device is intended to serve as a dedicated controller for HomeKit and a primary access point for Siri. Evidence for this hardware has been mounting for months; leaked code from iOS 26 recently exposed detailed specifications for a "HomeAccessory" device running an A18 chip. That silicon choice is notable, as it suggests the device could support Apple Intelligence features locally, unlike the current HomePod lineup. The hub is expected to feature a new visual interface designed for distance viewing, likely leveraging a revamped Siri to control third-party apps through App Intents.


Apple is also moving into the security space with its own smart home camera, codenamed J450. Like the smart display, this product is expected to launch in 2026 as part of the initial wave of new hardware. For years, Apple has relied on partners such as Eve and Logitech to supply cameras compatible with HomeKit Secure Video. By developing its own camera, Apple would have greater control over hardware integration and privacy features, including local processing or analysis via Private Cloud Compute. The camera is expected to use advanced presence detection sensors capable of distinguishing between people, animals, and other motion.

However, the high-end smart home hub featuring a robotic arm and larger display, known internally as J595, appears to be on a much longer timeline. Despite recent rumors suggesting a spring launch, Gurman says the device has always been planned for 2027 or later. It is expected to sit at the top of Apple's home lineup, with pricing that could exceed $1,000. The device is also tied to manufacturing partners in Vietnam, reflecting Apple's continued efforts to expand production outside China.

Gurman notes that the project remains far more complex than Apple's other home devices. Unlike a stationary screen, the robotic arm must physically reposition a display while tracking a user during activities like FaceTime calls or kitchen use. That functionality requires tightly coordinated hardware and software to avoid movements that feel awkward or mechanical. The report also suggests Apple may be holding the product until its generative AI features are further along, as a device that actively follows a user depends on a conversational assistant capable of handling loosely phrased requests and contextual commands, something Apple is still working toward with its upcoming Siri overhaul.

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