August 18, 2025, 12:49 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
According to a Bloomberg report, Apple is working on a new operating system specifically designed for use with modern consumer products. Instead of apps and games, the focus is on integrating voice control and easily recognizable information.
Completely New Home Operating System from Apple
Next year, Apple plans to make its first major push into the smart home market since the introduction of the HomePod in 2018. As a pioneer, Apple is planning to launch a smart display. The device is codenamed J490 and is intended as a “Home Hub”—the control center in a smart home.
According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, the tablet-like device will support basic iPad functions, such as home control, music, and an integrated browser. However, instead of iPadOS, a completely new operating system, internally called “Charismatic,” will be used. The actual name is yet to be determined, but homeOS is considered a possible candidate—similar to iOS, macOS, watchOS, and others.
Optimized for Use by Multiple Users
The unique aspect is that the OS is designed for use by multiple people in a household. Easily recognizable information is the focus. Like the StandBy feature on the iPhone, the display shows a clock and various widgets. There will be a selection of themes for the clock, similar to the Apple Watch. A front-facing camera will be able to recognize users as they pass by and automatically adjust the main screen with relevant information and personal preferences.
While app usage via the touchscreen will be possible, the focus is on interaction through voice. This requires the enhanced capabilities of AI-powered Siri, which is also expected to be released next year. Additionally, Apple is working on a feature called App Intents, which allows access to an app’s functionality without actually opening it. This is a prerequisite for precise control of a smart display via voice.
Gurman describes the smart display as visually similar to the Google Nest Hub, but with a dome-like, round base and a square, 7-inch screen. The base houses speakers and microphones.
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More Hardware Planned
In addition to the smart display, Apple is also planning a table robot with an articulating arm, at the end of which a tablet-like screen is mounted. The display will be able to follow users or even draw attention to itself. The device is expected to appear no earlier than 2027.
The AI Race Is Not Yet Lost
Apple’s AI efforts have so far fallen short of expectations. Hasty announcements, including for a smarter Siri, were meant to generate excitement for new technologies. However, many of them are still not ready for use—the Siri upgrade, for instance, has been postponed to an unspecified date in 2026.
According to Gurman, Apple could build its AI strategy around a hardware portfolio to differentiate itself from competitors like OpenAI and Google. While they are AI market leaders with ChatGPT and Gemini, their applicability in consumer-centric devices is still in its infancy. With its own AI-based products that offer users added value, Apple has the chance to catch up.