With the gradual improvement of Apple Intelligence and the imminent release of the next generation of Apple Foundation Models trained by Google Gemini, Apple's hardware strategy in the smart home market seems poised for explosive growth. This aligns with the latest "Power On" column by Bloomberg News reporter Mark Gurman.Point outApple is currently focusing on three new AI-powered smart home hardware products that are already ready for mass production but have been delayed due to delays in the development of AI software.
Now that the software is gradually in place, these long-rumored "Home Hub" devices and security cameras are expected to be officially unveiled at the launch event in October this year.
Modular design: 7-inch and 9-inch "Home Hub" tablet systems
Based on recent rumors, Apple is not simply looking to make a "HomePod with a screen," but is conceiving a more flexible, modular tablet system.
• 7-inch basic Home Hub:This device is expected to feature a 7-inch touchscreen, and rather than being a fixed unit, it's more like a "control panel that can be moved around the house." Rumors suggest that it can be easily mounted on a speaker-equipped base or attached to a dedicated wall mount using magnetic attachment.
• 9-inch high-end tabletop robot:This product may feature a larger 9-inch screen and the rumored "robotic arm." With its more powerful AI processing capabilities, it is likely to become the "central intelligent brain" of the entire home, capable of recognizing the user's distance and identity, and even rotating the screen to follow the user's movements.
With a well-planned product line, a 9-inch high-end robot can serve as the computing hub of the home, while a 7-inch basic tablet can be distributed throughout the home as a satellite device, forming a seamless home control network through consistent magnetic contacts and base accessories.
Complete the security ecosystem: AI-powered smart doorbells/cameras
In addition to the central display, Apple's third product is expected to be a smart security camera (or smart doorbell).
Currently, Apple's HomeKit video recording feature (HSV) can already connect with the user's Photos app; when a familiar friend or family member rings the doorbell, Siri can even directly announce their name. This new smart camera, powered by Apple Intelligence, is expected to provide more powerful and real-time facial and object recognition capabilities, further strengthening Apple's influence in the field of smart home security.
The test for new CEO John Ternus: Is AI really the only way to break the deadlock?
In addition to hardware predictions, the report also made some rather extreme comments about John Ternus, who is about to take over as Apple CEO, saying that he would be considered a failure if he could not launch "several groundbreaking new product categories driven by AI" during his tenure.
Analysis of viewpoints
Looking back at Tim Cook's 15 years at the helm of Apple, the only major hardware categories he actually launched "from scratch" were, strictly speaking, the Apple Watch, AirPods, and Vision Pro. Expecting a new CEO with a hardware engineering background to magically conjure ten entirely new AI product lines upon taking office is clearly unrealistic.
In fact, judging from the market performance in the past two years, even without any groundbreaking AI features, iPhone sales have remained stable; and the MacBook Neo equipped with the A18 Pro chip has also sold like hotcakes, proving that Apple's brand loyalty and the basic experience of hardware and software integration are the core reasons why consumers buy into the product.
For John Ternus, launching the Home Hub and smart camera is certainly important, as it can make up for Apple's long-standing weakness in the smart home arena; however, it is by no means a battle that will determine Apple's survival. Seamlessly connecting existing iPhones, Macs, and wearable devices through a smarter, newer version of Siri, and steadily upgrading the user experience, may be the most pragmatic and effective strategic approach for this new leader.
