Apple Prepares Smart Home Hub to Take on Amazon Echo Show
What Happened
Apple is reportedly preparing to launch its first dedicated smart home display, potentially as early as October 2026. The device, internally codenamed J490, is expected to feature a roughly 7-inch display, smart home controls, video calling, widgets, media playback and support for Apple's next-generation Siri AI. Reports suggest the product will serve as a central hub for connected home devices and personalized household information, putting Apple in direct competition with smart displays from Amazon and Google.
Key Takeaways
The launch would mark Apple's biggest move yet into the smart home display category. The device is expected to rely heavily on upgraded Siri AI capabilities, which have reportedly been a key reason for previous launch delays.