September 21, 2026: Apple’s long-delayed smart home display could go on sale as early as next month, according to Bloomberg’s Power On newsletter.१ The device is reportedly being tested widely in Apple employees’ homes.
Known internally at Apple as J490, the smart home hub is expected to feature a square display, facial recognition and an AI-powered Siri experience.
The device’s front camera will reportedly recognise who is standing in front of it without using the depth-sensing hardware normally required for Face ID.
The launch would also mark the first major hardware release during John Ternus’ tenure as Apple’s chief executive.
Apple J490 Smart Display to Have Square Design
The Apple smart home hub is expected to feature a roughly square screen and reportedly come in two versions.
One model is said to sit on a stand resembling a HomePod mini that has been cut in half, while another version could be mounted on a wall.
According to the report, the device will have a smaller display than products such as Amazon’s Echo Show.
The smart display is expected to run a new operating system combining elements of iOS, tvOS and watchOS. It will reportedly feature its own home screen, widgets and clock faces.
Facial Recognition Could Personalise the Display
Facial recognition is expected to be one of the key features of the device.
The camera will reportedly identify who is looking at the screen and automatically adjust the content shown to them. This could include calendar entries, notes, news, music and podcasts.
According to Mark Gurman, the technology could have implications beyond Apple’s smart home plans. It could potentially point towards Apple using a similar approach for face-based unlocking on the iPhone Duo, which currently relies on Touch ID.
Siri AI to Power Smart Home Features
Siri is expected to handle many of the device’s functions.
Apple had reportedly planned to launch the smart home hub as early as 2024 but delayed it while waiting for Siri’s capabilities to catch up.
With the latest AI-focused Siri features in iOS 27, the device is expected to be able to search across devices and accounts and perform tasks using apps such as Notes, Reminders and Calendar.
It could also reportedly help users find content, such as a podcast that was shared with them months earlier.
The smart home display is part of Apple’s broader push to bring its devices and AI services further into the home. The company already has a presence in cars through CarPlay, while the new display could strengthen its position in the smart home segment.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.