While tech enthusiasts eagerly await the arrival of Apple’s standard HomeView smart home hub, ongoing developments point toward a much larger, robotic counterpart currently in development. A recent report from The Information sheds light on this ambitious hardware project, widely referred to as the HomeView Ultra, though its final retail name remains subject to change.
Apple’s Rumored ‘HomeView Ultra’: What We Know
Apple has reportedly been exploring a larger, robotic version of its upcoming smart home hub for several years. Operating under the internal codename J595, this high-end device represents a significant step up from the standard tabletop hub experience that Apple has been developing for its ecosystem.
The project aligns with Apple’s broader exploration into advanced robotics and AI integration. Last year, Apple published a research paper detailing an R&D project focused on a robotic lamp with distinct personality traits, laying the groundwork for the interactive physical movements now reported for the J595.
Hardware Design, Robotic Arm, and Features
According to leaked details from the report, the HomeView Ultra will feature a roughly 9-inch display. This configuration provides approximately 65 percent more screen area than the standard 7-inch display found on the base HomeView hub.
Rather than resting flat on a static mount, the display is attached to its base via a robotic arm. This mechanical design has been likened to the classic iMac G4 or a Pixar-style desk lamp. Equipped with integrated cameras and environmental sensors, the device boasts situational awareness designed to support dynamic interactions:
- Following users around the room during an active FaceTime call
- Automatically turning on lights when someone enters a room
- Performing targeted household tasks, such as shooing a cat off a table
If Apple successfully programs the device to animate and move with natural responsiveness, the physical mechanics could help justify the anticipated high-end positioning.
Pricing, Software Delays, and Release Timeline
Consumers looking to add the robotic hub to their smart home setups should prepare for a substantial investment, with current reports pointing to an estimated price tag around $1,000.
As for when the device might actually hit store shelves, the outlook is distant. The hardware itself has reportedly been more or less complete for two years. However, the release has faced bottlenecks because the software development is still catching up to the physical design. Internal debates have centered on which capabilities belong in the first-generation model versus a future second-generation device. Because Apple’s ambitious autonomous AI features are not yet ready, the final release timeline depends heavily on balancing software advancements with the hardware roadmap, with a launch projected for late next year at the earliest, or potentially stretching out to 2028.
