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Apple Prototypes AI-First Smart Home Hub, Tabletop Robot and Security Cameras

Apple intends to power its home lineup with a fresh voice-first OS featuring an LLM-based Siri alongside privacy-centric hardware.

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- Apple Smart Products Flagship Store on Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street in Shanghai, China on August 11, 2025. (Photo credit should read CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Apple is reportedly prototyping a 7-inch smart home hub, codenamed J490, with an expected mid-2026 debut
  • The J595 tabletop robot project envisions a swivel arm and 7-inch display that could follow users and is aimed for 2027
  • A line of battery-powered security cameras, including a Face ID-enabled video doorbell, is under development to automate tasks like lights and music based on room occupancy
  • Engineers are building a new Siri with large language models in two tracks—an in-house version (Linwood) and an external model (Glenwood)—to power conversational features
  • All home devices are slated to run on a new multiuser OS called Charismatic, designed for voice-first controls and personalized experiences without compromising privacy