Apple’s expected smart home push is expected to begin in earnest with the first gadgets coming this autumn. Now, we’ve received the clearest indication of what could be in store in the next few months, via some hardware model numbers discovered in the company’s forthcoming software releases.
The macOS 27 release candidate contains references to model numbers for a slew of forthcoming products – including iPhones, AirPods and Macs. However, it’s the Home devices that are likely to bring the most intrigue.
They potentially reveal the Home Hub smart display, new HomePod mini, the rumoured security camera, and the tabletop robot. There are other numbers, which could refer to Apple’s rumoured homeOS accessories and colour configurations.
The references spied by MacRumors include:
- J490/HomeAccessory17,1 and J491/HomeAccessory17,2 – This, according to the author, is likely to be Apple’s HomeHub. J490 is the model with a speaker base. J491 is the model designed to be wall mounted.
- B525 – The next-gen HomePod mini rumoured to be upgraded to enable Siri AI compatibility. The last model carried a B520 hardware number.
- Home Accessory (J229) – This may be the security camera Apple is plotting. The model number has appeared before and is said to be a product able to detect alarm sounds and capture images.
- Pebble – Possibly the codename for homeOS that will provide the interface for smart displays. It’ll be more tvOS like than iOS like, according to reports.
- HomeAccessory17,3 (J595) – This could be the big’un. The table top robot Apple is reportedly plotting with an iMac G4-inspired design. The rotating robotic arm could follow users around the room. We’re not expecting this one for a while yet, but is the most exciting Apple product in the Home pipeline.
There was no mention of a model number that could indicate the Face ID-enabled video doorbell could be on the way. We could see some of these devices revealed as soon as next month during Apple’s iPhone 18 release event.
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