Smart home
Apple’s Rumoured Tabletop Robotic Device With AI May Have These Uses
Apple AI-Powered Tabletop Robotic Device Uses
In his weekly Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple’s purported tabletop device will likely launch in 2026 or 2027. It will reportedly be equipped with a robotic actuator that would control the in-built iPad-like screen at the top, allowing its 360-degree rotation and tilt movement. The device is said to have been codenamed J595.
As per Gurman, the purported robotic device would fulfill three purposes:
- Function as a portable computer in non-ideal locations
- Help in capturing images or taking videoconference calls by functioning as a tripod with an iPad
- Serve as a remote home security surveillance tool when the user is not at home
While the device isn’t even official, the report speculates that the device’s display could swivel when the user wants to take video conferencing calls in non-ideal locations, such as the kitchen. It could also gain spatial awareness courtesy of special hardware and software, in addition to integrated AI capabilities.
The idea for the tabletop robotic device is reported to have been approved by the company in 2022 but its development has only gained pace in recent months, following the cancellation of the Apple Car project. Its development is said to be solely being spearheaded by Kevin Lynch, who led the company’s former project.
Previous reports have suggested that the purported device could also become Apple’s first home gadget to get features powered by Apple Intelligence – its AI suite. Gurman also suggested that it may also respond to commands such as “look at me”, by repositioning the screen to face the speaker, leveraging the company’s voice assistant Siri.
However, it could be an expensive affair. According to Gurman, the iPhone maker is said to be working to bring its price down to $1000 (roughly Rs. 84,000).
iOS 19 Delays Smart Home Hub Launch
According to TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple has pushed the launch of the purported smart home hub beyond the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025. This is attributed to the redesign which iOS 19, Apple’s next iteration of the iPhone operating system (OS), is expected to undergo. At the same conference, the iPhone maker is also likely to showcase iOS 19 and its advancements.
The company is speculated to have plans of aligning the user interfaces across all devices in Apple’s ecosystem, including the purported smart home hub.
This builds upon a previous claim by the same analyst who suggested that the mass production of the aforementioned device may slip from Q1 2025 to Q3 2025. It was previously suspected that Apple’s now-officially delayed development of a more advanced version of Siri, powered by Apple Intelligence, was a major factor. The smart home hub was reported to depend upon the capabilities of the AI assistant.
However, Kuo’s claims suggest that delays related to Siri may not be the only reason behind the postponed launch of the purported product. Until it launches, Apple was reported to have commenced an internal home testing programme which allows select employees to take home the purported smart home hub for testing and submit feedback.
Regarding the importance of the product in Apple’s ecosystem, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman previously claimed that it would be the “first step toward a bigger role in the smart home” along with being Apple’s “most significant release of the year” when it debuts.
This information comes from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of the Power On newsletter, the journalist highlighted that Apple initially had plans to announce its new smart home hub in March but those are now in jeopardy. Its debut is said to largely depend upon the company’s development of the promised advanced Siri which the purported device would leverage.
Until it launches, the iPhone maker has reportedly commenced an internal home testing programme, allowing select employees to take the aforementioned device home and provide feedback. Gurman previously claimed that it may be “Apple’s most significant release of the year”, one which would become the “first step toward a bigger role in the smart home.”
Expected Features
While details are scarce, past reports suggest that the purported smart home hub has been codenamed J490. It may also feature a touchscreen with a square display. Similar to the Apple TV interface, its screen is speculated to have a customisable lock UI with multiple clock faces. Reports hint towards the inclusion of video conferencing capabilities leveraging an in-built camera, along with hand gesture recognition as a control mechanism.
Another reported feature of the purported smart home hub is user identification. Similar to the existing HomePod, it could allow users to make personal requests via voice commands. It may also have media playback capabilities and also work as an AirPlay receiver.
Its launch is also expected to make it the first Apple smart home device to offer AI capabilities, courtesy of the iPhone maker’s Apple Intelligence suite. Speculated to be powered by the same A18 SoC as the iPhone 16 models, it may support the company’s advanced Siri, which is said to be one of the reasons behind its postponed launch.
For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.
The devices, and current hardware that is getting the coming Alexa+ software update sooner, will go beyond answering trivia questions and help consumers complete tasks, such as hiring someone to fix an oven, he said on Thursday. Jassy was in New York this week for a press event to unveil the new Alexa.
Alexa has been eclipsed in recent years by a wave of AI chatbots, including the pioneering ChatGPT from OpenAI. The reboot of Amazon’s voice assistant is an attempt to rekindle consumers’ enthusiasm and generate revenue from subscriptions, online shopping and other businesses.
“I think there’s a sustainable business model,” Jassy said of Amazon’s renewed focus on the Alexa platform
The overhaul of Alexa, Amazon’s most important consumer electronics franchise, took longer than the company initially hoped as the engineers worked to infuse artificial intelligence into software not initially designed to generate answers on the fly.
Amazon will start charging Alexa customers for the first time when the new Alexa+ starts rolling out next month. Users who want the latest capabilities will have to pay $19.99 (roughly Rs. 1,746) a month. Members of Amazon’s $139 (roughly Rs. 12,145)-a-year Prime program get the update for free.
In a wide-ranging interview, Jassy said a proposed Biden-era rule that would curb the export of artificial intelligence chips to nations like Israel and the United Arab Emirates could have unintended consequences.
Without changes to the proposed rule, he said, “we’re going to basically give up that business and relationships to other countries who can provide those chips.” His comments echoed a Microsoft Corp. blog about the policy on Thursday.
Jassy said power constraints and chip shortages continue to restrict the growth of Amazon’s cloud-computing division. He said the Trump administration is committed to helping solve the issue. “They understand the constraints it’s having on the economy,” he said.
The Amazon CEO also said he’s encouraged that the Trump team “cares about what business thinks” and is aware of challenges constricting the development of artificial intelligence.
Jassy said he had spoken with Trump but didn’t divulge what they discussed.
© 2025 Bloomberg LP
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
-
Solar Energy3 years agoDLR testing the use of molten salt in a solar power plant in Portugal
-
TOP SCEINCE7 months agoSearching old stem cells that stay young forever
-
Camera1 year agoDJI Air 3 vs. Mini 4 Pro: which compact drone is best?
-
Indian Defense4 years ago
Israeli Radar Company Signs MoU To Cooperate With India’s Alpha Design Technologies
-
Camera1 year agoSony a9 III: what you need to know
-
world news1 year ago
Gulf, France aid Gaza, Russia evacuates citizens
-
world news5 months ago
Sirens trigger across central Israel following rocket barrage targeting Tel Aviv Iron Dome battery
-
world news5 months ago
Hezbollah’s gold mine catches fire: Nasrallah’s bunker under hospital held half billion dollars
