ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Apple will reportedly announce a robotic smart display in 2027.
• The device would feature a larger display and a robotic arm.
• The current HomeView is hitting the market next week.

The Apple HomeView is the company’s first dedicated smart home display, and new reports of how Apple plans to improve the product are already circulating. Apple is reportedly planning to announce a HomeView with a robotic arm as early as next year. The dynamic display is expected to cost up to $1,000.

Also: Apple’s HomeView may double as security camera

The HomeView isn’t even on the market yet — it will be available for purchase next week, starting at $299. This 7-inch smart panel features a speaker that doubles as a stand, and Apple will also sell a wall-mounted option.

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Apple’s HomeView plans in 2027

The Information reported that Apple is rumored to be working on a higher-end smart display for 2027, with shipments starting in 2028. The new device, codenamed J595, may be branded HomeView Ultra and feature a robotic arm and a 9-inch display.

The new HomeView’s screen would be mounted on an articulated mechanical arm to swivel the display, tracking users during FaceTime calls to keep them on-screen. The device could feature proactive smart home automations, such as turning on devices or triggering a room scene when someone walks into the room.

The same report indicates that the hardware has been complete for a couple of years, but launch delays are attributed to software development issues. Integrating advanced AI features and proactive automation has, according to The Information, been a challenge for Apple.

How a ‘HomeView Ultra’ could change the smart home

A swiveling smart home display isn’t entirely new. Amazon used to sell an Echo Show 10 with a display that tracked users to keep them in the camera’s view during video calls, though this model has been discontinued.

However, one that works within the Apple ecosystem could change how users interact with their home interfaces, given the popularity of FaceTime calls and the prevalence of iPhone users.

Also: 4 big Amazon smart home announcements

A HomeView Ultra could even anticipate users’ needs by tracking people’s movements and automatically executing routines and scenes depending on where they are in the home.

While there’s reason to doubt whether most smart home users would welcome such technology in their homes or consider it too invasive, premium robotic smart displays indicate that companies are standardizing interactive central hubs for the home.