Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that the tech giant is eyeing new revenue streams and is progressing in developing a high-end tabletop home device. This gadget is said to combine an iPad-like display with a robotic arm and hand – because all most Apple fanboys need is the hand.
Apple has reportedly already assembled a team of several hundred people to develop the new home device that combines a large screen with a thin robotic arm. The device will use actuators to tilt and rotate the display 360 degrees, offering a unique twist on products like Amazon’s Echo Show 10 and Meta’s now-discontinued Portal.
The device is rumoured to be designed as an all-in-one smart home hub, videoconferencing system, and remote-controlled security device. Sources, who requested anonymity due to the project's secrecy, revealed that the initiative—codenamed J595—received the green light from Apple’s executive team back in 2022 but has only recently gained momentum.
The concept for this tabletop device revolves around using Siri and future Apple Intelligence features as the central control system.
For example, during a video call, you could say, “Look at me,” and the screen automatically adjusts to focus on you. The device is also expected to recognise different voices and shift its focus accordingly. The prototypes being tested are reportedly running a modified version of the iPadOS.
Apple's move into robotics is part of a bigger plan to boost sales and make the most of its upcoming Apple Intelligence, which will roll out to iPhone, iPad, and Mac this year. This shift also comes as the company looks for new growth avenues after pulling the plug on its self-driving car project earlier in the year.
Apple is now fast-tracking the development of this tabletop device, targeting a launch as early as 2026 or 2027.
The goal is to bring the price down to around $1,000, though these plans could change with the release still years away. The project is now under the exclusive leadership of Kevin Lynch, a veteran executive who previously led the company’s self-driving car initiative and Apple Watch software engineering.