According to insiders Apple is set to launch a new device for the Smart Home Market the look and design of which is said to resemble an iPad and which is said to hit the market in 2025 at the earliest. The information leaks and insider’ reports hint at a change in the smart home market, putting Apple against Amazon’s Echo Show and Google’s Nest Hub. Here’s what we know so far.
A Dedicated Smart Home Hub
According to the report of Bleed, Apple is soon going to release a new device with a screen size and design similar to the iPad but the device will be primarily a smart home hub. The above change in demand suits Apple’s continuing move into the Internet of Things (IoT) market in which the HomeKit solution is still being developed.
Though HomeKit already supports iPads and iPhones as smart home controllers, this new smart home hub would serve as the core of the smart home. What this device allowed the user to do was the ability to manage the various white wash lights, thermostats, stream security cameras, and many more all through a touch screen!
Apple Design and Features
Apple always comes up with devices with good looks and high ends and thus this seems to also be a good smart home display with the best features. There are speculations that it will have the form factor of the iPad but with some focus on home use.
Larger Display: Anticipated to be of similar size and possibly in a similar range such as an iPad probably as big as 10 inches.
Smart Speaker Integration: It may include a high-quality speaker, similar to HomePod to make it a home hub for audio playback.
FaceTime and Communication: The incorporated camera is expected to enable FaceTime calls and as such, it will be the communication hub in most homes.
Siri Voice Assistant: Of course, connected with the devices Siri will play an important role in giving voice commands.
Full confrontation with Amazon and Google
The drive by Apple for its foray into the smart home display will now pit the firm against formidable rivals such as Amazon and Google. Both companies have been investing in smart home devices for years having products in the smart display market including Echo Show and Nest Hub. However, the one major advantage Apple has is a great ecosystem where products work well with each other could be the selling factor for its smart home display.
Another strength for Apple is that the company focuses on the user’s privacy. Another feature of the company’s services is that privacy has been made one of the bases of the products – this might be a valuable aspect given the present tendencies towards smart home equipment.
HomeKit and Matter Integration
Currently HomeKit kit, an Apple’s smart home ecosystem, includes many products. But with the recent release of Matter, the new open-sourced protocol for smart home devices, the new display is likely to support both HomeKit and Matter-enabled devices. This means that the projected users will not be restricted to Apple standardized gadgets implying that many people would find usefulness in this new Smart Home Hub.
iPad-like Smart Home Display
Final Thoughts
Although we are yet to receive confirmation from Apple about the new smart home device in the line of iPad, the rumors of the new home display in 2025 have created much buzz. Next, Apple’s smart home hub to complement its HomeKit ecosystem aims to address the concern of interoperability, privacy, and better aesthetics making it possible the next ‘must-have’ gadget for smart home enthusiasts.
As specifics continue to come out in the following months it will define a new category for smart home allowing Apple to bring forth a level of synergy for users that is currently not possible with the current line-up of smart devices out in the market. Please watch this space for more details when the app gets closer to its release date!
