Apple’s rumored smart home project that’s dubbed (depending on which rumor your believe) “HomePad” or “Command Center” likely won’t launch until after April, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says in a new “Power On” newsletter.
“Apple is no longer working on a car, and true AR glasses are probably three to five years away,” he writes. “Though Apple is pursuing smart home technology, its first major entry in that segment — a hub that can serve as a control center — is months away from shipping.”
The device is expected to be akin to a HomePod with a display. Gurman says it will be “Apple’s most significant release of the year,” as it represents the company’s “first step toward a bigger role in the smart home.” Gurman describes it as a small, cheaper iPad-like gadget that lets you “control appliances, conduct FaceTime chats, and handle other tasks.”
Here’s what a September report from 9to5Mac said about a HomePod with display:
° The device will be powered by an A18 processor.
° It has a squarish display rather than an iPad-ish rectangular design.
° It has a built-in camera that works for FaceTime and other video conferencing apps.
° The device uses the camera to identify hand gestures from a distance.
° The device can run apps and play media on its own, but it will also work as an AirPlay receiver.
This info from Gurman is from the free edition of “Power On”. If you like it, consider subscribing to Bloomberg.com—you’ll receive the newsletter earlier and get exclusive access to a Q&A section.
