Apple is preparing to revolutionize smart home control: in October 2026, the company plans to unveil its first smart display — a device that differs radically from its competitors in that it is built entirely around a reworked intelligent assistant, Siri.
According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, the smart display, internally codenamed J490, is already undergoing extensive testing in the homes of Apple employees. The launch could happen as early as October, although the window remains open until early 2027. This is no random date: Apple deliberately synchronized the hardware release with the readiness of Siri AI — which is precisely why the project suffered repeated delays, slipping from spring 2025 to spring 2026, and then to autumn 2026.
The device's design is innovative: a square, roughly 7-inch screen in two versions. The tabletop version resembles a HomePod mini cut in half and fitted with a display — a construction on a half-sized speaker base. The second variant (J491) mounts on a wall using a magnetic mechanism, turning into a permanent control panel. Both versions are equipped with a front-facing camera, microphones, and a Wi-Fi module, and run on the new homeOS operating system, which organically combines elements of iOS, tvOS, and watchOS into a single, intuitive interface.
The device's power lies in its intelligence. The A18 processor with 8 GB of RAM provides on-device data processing and smooth animations. Its main highlight, however, is a software-hardware facial recognition system that does not require depth sensors (as in Face ID). The camera identifies each family member and instantly displays personalized content: their personal notes, calendar, news, music, podcasts, and recommendations. This means the device truly adapts to each user in the home.
At the heart of the ecosystem is Siri AI, which was reworked and introduced in iOS 27 in September 2026. It is not just a voice assistant: it is a full-fledged intelligent hub capable of searching for information across all Apple devices and accounts, playing recently played songs and podcasts, finding photos by meaning, and automating routine operations in the Notes, Reminders, and Calendar apps. Siri AI on the smart display will become the central figure of interaction: from video calls via FaceTime to controlling smart home scenes via HomeKit.
The display is positioned as the main hub for smart home control: managing HomeKit accessories, video calls, two-way audio communication (intercom between rooms), music and video playback, and integration of all Apple services. The interface includes a home screen with quick access to widgets, customizable Apple Watch-style clock faces that remain visible in standby mode, and a minimalist design. Turning the device on and syncing it with the ecosystem are done via iPhone.
The specific screen specifications (OLED or LCD), the exact storage capacity, and the official price remain undisclosed, although rumors mention a figure of around 349 dollars. This would place Apple significantly above its direct competitors — Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub Max — but the price positioning is justified by deep ecosystem integration, superior build quality, and a technology stack that other manufacturers lack.
At present, the information is based solely on reports from Bloomberg and MacRumors, drawing on insider sources within Apple; there is no official confirmation from the company. But if the rumors prove true, this display could become a critically important device for the Apple ecosystem — a bridge between personal AI (iPhone) and family intelligence, uniting home control, media, and everyday tasks on a single screen.
