After years of treating smart home products as a hobby, Apple is reportedly prepared to make a significant market push. New home devices and a fresh strategy are emerging, with Apple Intelligence at the forefront. This is what to expect in 2025 and beyond.

Apple's New Home Strategy

According to Mark Gurman's latest Power On newsletter, Apple's ambitious smart home campaign is set to launch in 2025. He outlined three key pillars of this new approach:

1. Apple Intelligence with a strong focus on Siri
2. HomeOS, a new software platform built on tvOS
3. Wider accessory compatibility, enabled by Matter

One of the most intriguing aspects is how Apple plans to leverage AI for its future smart home products. The goal is to elevate home automation significantly through the Apple Intelligence platform, offering precise control over applications, devices, and media. A core component of Apple Intelligence is a new App Intents system that enables Siri to manipulate features within apps. Although Siri's ability to perform hundreds of new app actions isn't expected until next spring, early details suggest a substantial upgrade in its capabilities.

Imagine executing numerous iPhone, iPad, and Mac actions without even touching those devices, simply by speaking in your home.

Smart Display with Apple Intelligence Expected in 2025

This enhanced Siri functionality could be particularly suited for a new Apple home device on the horizon—a smart display expected in 2025. As Gurman mentions:

“One of the first big steps will be releasing a new smart display – something people can use to play TV+ streaming content, make FaceTime calls, browse the web, and access apps such as Calendar and Notes. It would be an affordable iPad-like display, and consumers would be able to place multiple devices throughout the home, similar to the HomePod mini.”

Our own reports suggest that this product may feature a squarer display than a rectangular one and could include an A18 chip. While I would love to see Apple Intelligence integrated into existing HomePods, it appears set to be a key selling point for Apple's new smart home initiatives and upcoming products.

According to Gurman, the smart display may not provide the best audio quality. Instead, it seems to be designed to complement existing HomePods rather than replace them. However, a more advanced and pricier smart home product is anticipated, offering an improved music experience. This tabletop device is expected to launch later, likely priced around $1,000, focusing on home security monitoring, advanced video conferencing, and high-quality media playback.

The screen would be mounted on a rotating robotic arm, distinguishing it from competitor offerings. While specifics regarding its differentiation in home security and videoconferencing remain unclear, the emphasis on “playing media with high-quality audio” is straightforward. The more affordable smart display could be likened to a HomePod mini: budget-friendly but with some compromises. In contrast, the premium device would be akin to the full-size HomePod, boasting superior sound quality and advanced features.

Apple Intelligence Smart Home: Summary

It’s promising to see Apple gearing up for a more assertive stance in the smart home market. While the Apple TV 4K and HomePod have their dedicated users (myself included), there is clearly significant potential for a wider range of powerful smart home products. With Apple Intelligence at the heart of these innovations, I am eager to see what possibilities emerge. Are you excited about Apple's smart home plans? What are you most looking forward to? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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