Apple’s first smart home device is finally arriving on October 13th, according to a new Bloomberg report. This long-awaited product, said to feature an iPad-like square display, has been in development for a while now, with delays tied to Siri’s AI capabilities repeatedly pushing back the launch.
According to the report, the home hub takes the shape of a roughly 6-inch square display, available in versions you can mount on a wall or place on a countertop. The basic concept isn’t wildly different from what Amazon already offers with the Echo Show, though Apple’s version reportedly brings a few notable differences of its own.
Apple’s Home Hub Recognition Capabilities
The standout feature here is the ability to recognize individual who are using it. The device can identify who’s talking to it or who’s approaching by using its built-in camera, then adjust what’s shown on screen based on that person, pulling in details from their contacts, messages, calendar, and notes, among other sources.
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Each household member gets a unique interface layout tailored specifically to them. Facial recognition drives this entire system, though Bloomberg reports it’s not quite as accurate as the Face ID sensors found on an iPhone. To compensate, users can apparently set up a secondary layer of authentication linked directly to their iPhone.
Apple Smart Home Hub Will Control All of Apple’s Smart Home Ecosystem
Beyond tying deeply into Apple’s software and hardware ecosystem, this new device will also work as a central hub connecting all your other smart home devices, everything from door locks to thermostats and smart speakers.
Additional reported features include video calling, intercom-style communication between rooms, and music playback, among other functions.
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Physically, the device sits on top of a round metallic base, connected to the display by a metallic arm. Apple reportedly plans to offer just one color option, a gray aluminum finish. It needs constant power through a USB-C connection too, since there’s no built-in battery inside.
