Apple's New Siri Screen Wants to Run Your Whole House
Apple finally has a countertop device to compete with Amazon's Echo — and it knows who you are.
Apple is finally getting into the smart display business. According to Bloomberg, the company plans to launch a tabletop and wall-mountable screen on Oct. 13, a device code-named J490. Think of it as Apple's answer to Amazon's Echo Show or Google's Nest Hub — a small screen that sits in your kitchen or living room and acts as the brain of your home. It's roughly six inches square, with a design that reportedly echoes Apple's old iMac G4, a screen perched above a rounded base full of speakers and microphones.
The interesting part is that it's supposed to know who you are. When you walk up or start talking, the hub can show your own contacts, messages, calendar and favorite apps — not your roommate's or your kid's. It uses your voice and your face to tell people apart, and there's a visitor mode that hides personal details when guests are over. You could also use it for FaceTime calls, music, photo slideshows, or following a recipe hands-free while cooking. It'll control smart thermostats, locks and lights too.
Alongside the hub, Apple is expected to update two older products. The HomePod mini speaker gets its first refresh since 2020 — same shape, faster processor, and possibly new green and pink colors. The Apple TV streaming box also gets its first update since 2022. The delay on all of this traces back to Siri, which Apple has been rebuilding to handle more sophisticated AI requests. The devices reportedly waited on the assistant. This launch is also an early test for new CEO John Ternus, who took over Sept. 1.
The catch is twofold. First, Apple is late. Millions of homes already have an Amazon or Google screen doing these jobs, and Apple has to convince people to switch or add another device. Second, this is a gadget designed to recognize your face and always listen. Apple has a strong privacy reputation, but a camera pointed at your living room will make some people uneasy — especially since the facial recognition reportedly isn't as reliable as Face ID on an iPhone.
- Apple's first smart-home screen is reportedly arriving Oct. 13, about the size of a small tablet, and can sit on a counter or hang on a wall
- It uses an upgraded Siri to recognize different family members and show each person their own messages, calendar and photos
- The HomePod mini speaker and Apple TV box are also getting their first updates in years, mainly to run the smarter Siri
Why It Matters
A screen that recognizes your face and always listens could make home life easier — or feel a little invasive.