Apple to Unveil Wall-Mounted Smart Display as Early as March [Report]

Apple is planning to unveil a new wall-mounted smart display as early as March, according to a new report from Bloomberg. The device will allegedly be able to control appliances, handle videoconferencing, and use AI to navigate apps.

The company is gearing up to announce the device as early as March and will position it as a command center for the home, according to people with knowledge of the effort. The product, code-named J490, also will spotlight the new Apple Intelligence AI platform, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the work is confidential.

The smart display has reportedly been in development for around three years, with Apple CEO Tim Cook prioritizing it for the company's engineers and designers. The device resembles a square iPad with a 6-inch screen, a thick bezel, a top-mounted camera, a built-in rechargeable battery, and internal speakers. It is expected to be available in Silver and Black.


The touch interface is described as a blend of watchOS and iPhone StandBy mode; however, Apple expects users to primarily interact with it through Siri. The hardware was reportedly designed around App Intents, a system that allows AI to precisely control applications and tasks.

The product will be marketed as a way to control home appliances, chat with Siri, and hold intercom sessions via Apple's FaceTime software. It will also be loaded with Apple apps, including ones for web browsing, listening to news updates and playing music. Users will be able to access their notes and calendar information, and the device can turn into a slideshow display for their photos.

The screen device runs a new operating system, codenamed Pebble, and includes sensors to detect how close you are. This allows for features and functionality to adjust depending on your proximity. Users will be able to customize their home screen with widgets for checking stocks, weather, and appointments, as well as key home controls. Apps can be launched from a dock or a grid of icons.

Apple has reportedly considered launching an App Store for the device; however, that has been shelved for the initial release. Support for security cameras is a key feature, and the product will be able to display camera footage, deliver security alerts, and serve as an intercom system between rooms. Notably, a recent rumor suggested that Apple has a security camera under development, potentially designed to be used with this controller.


As previously rumored, Apple is also working on a higher-end version of the device that features a robotic arm to move the screen around. This technology could be marketed as a home companion with an AI personality.

While the higher-end device could cost as much as $1,000, the display-only version is expected to be priced significantly lower, likely closer to the rival Echo Hub at $180 or the Nest Hub Max at $230.

There are also different attachments already designed for the device, including options to mount the display on walls like a classic home-security panel and bases with additional speakers for use in the kitchen or on a nightstand.

More details are available in the full report linked below!

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