September 30, 2024 – According to a recent prediction by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple’s next operating system could be homeOS, designed to run on two brand-new smart devices.
Gurman revealed that one of the “most important products” in development is a desktop device codenamed J595. This innovative gadget combines mechanical limbs with a large iPad-like display. Simultaneously, a lower-end smart display, codenamed J490, is also in the works. This product is intended for FaceTime usage and controlling home appliances.
The J490 is expected to launch next year and is ultimately envisioned as a low-end companion product for a “robot device,” priced at no less than $1,000 (currently equivalent to approximately 6,999 Chinese yuan). Apple Intelligence will serve as the core of these two devices, bringing “Apple-branded AI” into households.
It’s worth noting that current Apple home appliances or home products, including Apple TV, HomePod, and HomePod mini, do not possess the necessary hardware to run AI models on the devices themselves.
These new products will feature a new system called homeOS, aligning with Apple’s established pattern of having a dedicated operating system for each major hardware category, often as variations of macOS or iOS. “Apple TV already has a system called tvOS, which will form the foundation of homeOS. I anticipate that tvOS and homeOS will eventually merge and run on every Apple home device,” Gurman stated.
In terms of functionality, the J490 is designed to run applications like Calendar, Notes, and Home, featuring an interface for controlling home appliances and quickly accessing information. During the development of prototypes, Apple envisioned this device as being able to magnetically attach to walls or sit on desktops.
Yesterday’s report also mentioned a “reliable source” claiming that Apple is developing a smart home product named “HomeAccessory” with the internal codename “J490,” powered by an A18 chip (potentially to support Apple Intelligence).
Additionally, there’s talk about a new Apple TV screen saver, hinting at further integrations and updates to Apple’s home entertainment ecosystem.
