This week The Information released a huge report detailing Apple’s work on a wearable AI pin. But hidden within Wayne Ma’s article is the detail that Apple’s long rumored smart home hubcould feature a “robotic swiveling base.”
Rumors about an Apple Home Hub have been circulating online for the past few years. It was supposed to launch last year, but was reportedly pushed back because of delays and problems with Apple Intelligence, specifically the revamped Siri.
In 2024, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claimed Apple was developing a mounted display that would connect to a full robotic arm that could tilt up and down with full 360-degree movement. That rumored device was projected to cost around $1,000, making it profoundly more expensive than similar devices. We’re now dealing with something that sounds a lot cheaper on paper.
“Apple is also working on a home product featuring a small display, speakers and a robotic swiveling base, designed with a heavy emphasis on AI features. That device could be released as soon as this spring, according to two of the people,” Ma reported.
Based on Ma’s description, this new home hub device sounds more reminiscent of the discontinued Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd gen). That smart home hub features a rotating display that can track you as you move about your house.
Ironically, one of our cons for the Echo Show 10 was the $249.99 price, which was a $20 bump over the 2nd-generation Echo Show 10. Unfortunately, Ma didn’t elaborate on how Apple’s swiveling base would work or a potential price but I expect we will be paying more compared to the best smart displays available right now.
What we know about the Apple Home Hub so far
The most recent rumor we’ve seen popped up in December, thanks to code discovered in iOS 26. The code revealed that the iPad-esque device will utilize Apple’s A18 chip, previously used in the iPhone 16 series.
It would also feature a 1080p camera and is supposed to offer a speaker system similar to Apple’s existing HomePod 2.
Gurman previously reported that Apple is developing a new “Charismatic” operating system specifically for the Home Hub.
"The devices are meant to be easily shared: They include a front-facing camera that can scan users' faces as they walk toward it and then automatically change the layout, features and content to the preferences of that person," said Gurman in his report.
Siri is meant to be a major part of the system, much like Alexa and Gemini run smart home hubs for Amazon and Google. With Apple and Google partnering to integrate Gemini with Siri and reports of a new Apple-developed chatbot, dubbed Campos, Apple may finally be ready to make the smart home hub a reality.
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