News in short
- Apple is reportedly developing a premium HomeView smart home hub under the codename J595.
- The upcoming device could feature a 9-inch display, compared with the current model’s 7-inch screen.
- A motorised arm may allow the display to rotate up to 360 degrees.
- Voice recognition could help the screen turn towards the person interacting with it.
- Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that the device could launch in 2027 or 2028.
Apple is reportedly developing a premium version of its HomeView smart home hub with a larger display and a motorised robotic arm. The upcoming device could rotate its screen to face people interacting with it, making it more flexible for everyday use.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is developing the device under the codename J595. It could feature a 9-inch display, up from the 7-inch panel on the existing HomeView.
The device is reportedly planned for release in 2027 or 2028. Apple has not officially announced the product or confirmed its specifications.
Robotic arm could make HomeView more interactive
The reported upgrade centres on a motorised arm that allows the display to rotate. Unlike the current HomeView, which cannot swivel, the new version could turn its screen towards a person using the device.
The mechanism could reportedly support 360-degree rotation. Voice recognition may help the hub identify who is speaking and adjust the screen’s orientation accordingly.
This could make the device more convenient in shared spaces. Users might be able to interact with the display without moving directly in front of it or manually repositioning the screen.
The larger panel could also provide more room for smart home controls, video calls and other visual interactions. However, Apple has not confirmed how the robotic mechanism would work or which applications would support it.
How the new HomeView could differ from the current model
Apple launched the existing HomeView with a 7-inch Liquid Retina display, facial recognition and Siri AI integration. It runs on Apple’s A18 chip and supports recognition for up to six people.
The device can provide personalised responses based on who is using it. However, users must move in front of the screen or reposition the hub to change its viewing direction.
The reported robotic version could address that limitation through automated screen movement. Its larger display may also help distinguish the premium model from the existing device.
Gurman suggests Apple could call the upcoming product HomeView Max, HomeView Ultra or HomeView 360. These names remain speculative, and Apple has not confirmed the final branding.
Apple’s smart home ambitions
A robotic HomeView would represent a different approach to the smart home hub. Instead of acting only as a stationary screen for controlling connected devices, it could respond more actively to people in a room.
Voice recognition and automated screen positioning could make interactions more natural, particularly in homes where several people use the same device. The usefulness of these features will depend on their accuracy, privacy controls and integration with Apple’s wider smart home ecosystem.
The reported launch window of 2027 or 2028 also means buyers may have to wait before learning the product’s final capabilities.
HomeView price in India
Apple launched the existing HomeView in India for ₹39,900. It is available in Silver, Starlight, Rose Pink and Space Grey colour options. In the US, the current model costs $299.
Apple has not announced pricing or availability for the reported robotic version. Given its proposed larger display and motorised mechanism, its position in the lineup remains unclear.
For now, the premium HomeView remains a reported development rather than an announced product. If the features described by Gurman materialise, it could give Apple’s smart home hub a more dynamic design and a new way to interact with users.
