A report says Apple is working on a HomeView Ultra with a robotic arm that turns the screen to follow you, at a price of up to $1,000.
Apple is reportedly building a pricier version of its first smart home screen, and this one would physically move. According to a report from The Information, the HomeView Ultra would put a 9-inch display on a robotic arm that swivels to follow you around the room. It could cost up to $1,000.
The regular HomeView goes on sale next week, starting at $299. It has a 7-inch screen and a speaker that doubles as a stand. Apple will also sell a wall-mounted option. It works as a dashboard for your Apple Home devices and security cameras, plus your calendar, messages and other apps, and you can use Siri on it.
The Ultra is reportedly codenamed J595. Its arm would turn the screen to keep you in view during FaceTime calls. It could also act on its own, such as turning on devices or starting a room scene when someone walks in. The report says it could even run routines based on where you are in the home.
The Information says Apple could announce the device in 2027, with shipping starting in 2028. The hardware has reportedly been finished for a couple of years. The delay is blamed on software. Apple has reportedly struggled to build advanced AI features and automatic, proactive actions into the product.
This is a report about plans, not an Apple announcement. Details, timing and price could change.
Amazon once sold the Echo Show 10, a screen that turned to keep users in the camera's view during video calls. Amazon has discontinued it. ZDNET notes that an Apple version could matter more because so many people use iPhones and FaceTime.
A screen that tracks your movements around a room will not suit everyone. ZDNET points out that many smart home users may find it too invasive. Apple has not said how such tracking would work or what controls people would get.
The regular HomeView arrives next week from $299, while a swiveling $1,000 Ultra is only a rumor for 2027 or later.
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