According to anonymous sources, Apple is preparing to announce its J490, a new wall-mounted smart home device powered by the Apple Intelligence AI platform. The product will allow consumers to engage in videoconference and apps navigation.
The product will resemble a 6-inch square iPad, approximately the size of two iPhones side by side, with a thick edge around the display. It will also feature a front-facing camera, a built-in rechargeable battery, and internal speakers. Consumers can choose its color between silver and black.
Consumers can interact with the device using voice commands, due to Siri and Apple Intelligence, or the touch interface, which operates similarly to a combination of the Apple Watch and the iPhone’s StandBy mode. The hardware is designed around App Intents, which allows AI to control apps and tasks.
As for its function, consumers can chat with Siri, conduct intercom sessions via Apple’s FaceTime software, access their notes and calendars, and use Apple apps to browse the web, listen to news updates, and play music. It can even display photos as a slideshow.
Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, believes the product will help the company catch up with rivals Alphabet Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. in the smart home market. After three years of development, he has made this device a priority for the company’s engineering and design departments.
In the smart home market, Apple will compete with major players like Amazon’s Echo Show and Google’s Nest Hub. To stay competitive, the company plans a premium version of the device, featuring a robotic arm that can move the screen. This version will be marketed as an intelligent home companion with an AI-driven personality.
