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Just weeks after it refreshed the iMac, Mac mini, and MacBook Pro, Apple may be eyeing the smart home market with a wall-mounted AI-powered tablet.
In his Power On newsletter on Tuesday, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman shared that the device is codenamed J490, and is expected to be unveiled in the first quarter of 2025.
The new product is designed to serve as a central hub for home management, featuring a 6in display, camera, rechargeable battery, and speakers.
Apple’s AI Wall Tablet: Key Features
The device, according to Gurman, will primarily rely on voice commands through Siri and Apple Intelligence. It will run on a new operating system called Pebble and could be available in silver and black.
The wall tablet is also said to offer comprehensive smart home control, featuring appliance integration, video calling, and AI-driven app navigation. While it will function as a standalone product, an iPhone will be required during setup.
Pricing for the device is expected to vary. A higher-end version could cost up to $1,000, while a display-only version will be cheaper. Apple is reportedly working on a more advanced model with a robotic arm to move the screen, which may be priced at the higher end of the range.
Apple’s earlier foray into the smart home space has not been as successful as anticipated. The original HomePod, launched in 2018, failed to gain widespread adoption due to its high price point and limited functionality compared to competitors.
However, the idea of a wall-mounted AI tablet could help it compete directly with the likes of Amazon, Samsung and Google in the smart home sector.
