Apple’s long-rumored smart-home gadget, sometimes called the HomePad, is edging closer to reality with fresh details leaking out.
Macworld reports they obtained internal Apple code references mentioning the mystery device, though no official name is shown in the excerpts. The device appears in an early iOS 26 build under the codename J490, and it’s described as packing an A18 processor along with a front-facing ultra-wide camera that supports Center Stage. Video resolution for the camera is limited to 1080p, consistent with iPad and Mac cameras today.
A key highlight is the inclusion of Face ID biometrics, which would allow the system to identify individual users and tailor profiles accordingly based on who is interacting with it.
Additionally, Mashable notes that Apple Intelligence will be integrated, bringing an enhanced Siri capable of maintaining more natural, ongoing conversations with users.
The device is slated for a 2026 release, though earlier rumors suggested a possible debut in the spring.
Macworld also uncovered references to another, still-unknown smart-home product codenamed J229. Details are scarce, but it’s described as featuring multiple sensors and a built-in camera, and it’s identified as an accessory rather than a standalone device.
Previously, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman discussed Apple’s exploration of a home security camera designed to work with the hub, plus a facial-recognition smart doorbell. The new gadget could be one of these projects, though Gurman noted a launch would likely come later, possibly at the end of next year at the earliest.
