Overview

• Apple's smart home hub, codenamed J490, is reportedly set for release by the end of 2025, following internal testing with select employees.
• The device will feature a 7-inch square display, a built-in camera, and support for Apple Intelligence, running on a new operating system called homeOS.
• Initial delays were attributed to challenges in upgrading Siri and Apple Intelligence, which are integral to the hub's functionality.
• A more advanced version, codenamed J595, with a robotic arm and a 'unique AI personality,' is planned for release a year or two after the basic model.
• Apple aims to compete with Amazon's Echo and Google's Nest Hub, targeting the smart home market with this new product line.