Apple is working on a desktop robot powered by artificial intelligence.

Apple plans to expand its presence in homes with a series of AI-based smart home products, according to leaks collected by the ever-informed Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman. A new version of the Siri voice assistant, currently a symbol of Apple's struggles to integrate AI into its product ecosystem, will once again be at the center of the effort. Apple plans to create a digital companion capable of engaging in conversations and managing users' home and lifestyles.

Cupertino's home automation offensive is multi-pronged, with several devices arriving over the next two years. Among the first products to usher in this new market segment will be a smart digital picture frame, followed by a fully-fledged "tabletop robot" reminiscent of the old iMac G4. Meanwhile, Apple will unveil a camera with facial recognition for home security and automation.

The table robot

The centerpiece of the strategy, and certainly the one generating the most curiosity, is a "desktop robot" that will have a display mounted on a motorized arm that can follow the user as it moves, extending about 15 cm in all directions. The design will be reminiscent of the old iMac G4s, nicknamed "Lamp" or "Sunflower." It's no coincidence that some Apple employees are apparently already using the name "Pixar Lamp" internally, a reference to the short film that unofficially inspired the concept of those Macs.

At the heart of the device will be an entirely new version of Siri, internally dubbed "Bubbles." Apple is testing different visual personalities for the assistant, including an animated version of the Mac's Finder icon. The goal is to create a more human experience, thanks to the new Siri's ability to remember information and engage in natural conversations, similar to the voice mode of chatGPT.

During FaceTime video calls, the robot will be able to automatically follow participants around the room. Apple is also testing the possibility of using an iPhone as a joystick to manually control the camera. The robot is scheduled for launch in 2027, assuming the project progresses as expected.

The digital frame

Before the robot, whose name is still unclear, a smart hub resembling the Google Nest Hub will hit the market, featuring a 7-inch square display, thin black or white bezels, and rounded corners. The device, currently codenamed J490, was supposed to arrive as early as 2025, but was delayed by about a year due to Apple's development issues with the current version of Siri .

For Apple, the new products, and especially the Smart Digital Frame, represent a crucial attempt to get back on track after a troubled launch and delays with Apple Intelligence. The device will run a new operating system, currently codenamed "Charismatic," designed specifically for family use. The interface will be based on watch faces and widgets linked to Apple apps, with interaction primarily via voice, even though the frame will feature a touchscreen.

The product will integrate a secure facial recognition system, thanks to a front-facing camera that scans people's faces as they approach. The system will automatically adapt content and features to the preferences of each registered user. This is a feature similar to what Amazon already offers with its Echo Show 15. Charismatic will feature Apple's core apps like Calendar, Camera, Music, Reminders, and Notes, but will not have a dedicated App Store, at least initially.

The security camera

Apple is also developing a home security camera, directly competing with Amazon's Ring and Google's Nest products. The device, codenamed J450, will be powered by a battery with a battery life of several months to a year. It will feature facial recognition and an infrared sensor.

The intended use will not only be security monitoring, but also automation: thanks to facial recognition, the camera could, for example, automatically turn off the lights when a family member enters or leaves a room or start a favorite playlist. Apple is also testing a smart doorbell with facial recognition to automatically unlock the front door, but information on this product is currently scarce. It's unknown how Apple intends to incorporate this new product segment into its ecosystem, nor what it will be called. A potential launch date is also currently unclear.