Apple is reportedly developing a higher-end version of its upcoming HomeView smart display that adds a robotic arm, according to The Information. The device could be announced as early as next year and is expected to cost up to $1,000. The report arrives just before the standard HomeView reaches stores.
The base HomeView, Apple's first dedicated smart home display, goes on sale next week starting at $299. The 7-inch panel includes a speaker that also serves as its stand, and Apple plans to sell a wall-mounted option as well. The device is built to work with the Apple ecosystem, including Apple Home and Siri, and works as a dashboard for smart home devices, security cameras, calendars, messages, and other integrated apps.
The Information reported that Apple is rumored to be working on the premium model for 2027, with shipments beginning in 2028. The device, codenamed J595, may be branded HomeView Ultra and would pair a robotic arm with a 9-inch display. The screen would sit on an articulated mechanical arm that swivels to follow users during FaceTime calls so they stay in frame.
The higher-end HomeView could also offer proactive smart home automations, such as switching on devices or triggering a room scene when someone enters a room. According to The Information, the hardware has been finished for a couple of years, but launch delays stem from software development issues. Fitting advanced AI features and proactive automation onto the device has been a challenge for Apple, the report said.
A swiveling smart home display is not entirely new. Amazon previously sold an Echo Show 10 whose screen tracked users to keep them in the camera's view during video calls, though that model has been discontinued. A version tied to the Apple ecosystem could shift how users interact with their home interfaces, given the popularity of FaceTime calls and the large base of iPhone users.
A HomeView Ultra could go further by tracking people's movements and running routines and scenes automatically depending on where they are in the home. It is an open question whether most smart home users would welcome that technology or find it too invasive. Even so, premium robotic smart displays suggest companies are moving toward standardized interactive hubs for the home.
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