Apple HomeKit has consistently fallen behind Alexa and Google Assistant, particularly lacking a smart display comparable to the Echo Show 15 or the Nest Hub. However, rumors suggest that the company's upcoming gadget could address this shortcoming. MacRumors has reported that code found in Apple's backend refers to something called HomeAccessory17,1. This might not seem significant at first glance, but it's worth noting that the HomePod is identified as AudioAccessory. While there are insufficient details to draw any concrete conclusions, we can speculate that the new device may be powered by the A18 chip and feature AI-focused capabilities.

Apple already has plans to incorporate OpenAI alongside Siri. Integrating AI-driven intelligence into a smart home system could unlock unprecedented functionalities—potentially surpassing what Alexa currently offers, although Google Assistant's implementation of Gemini may keep the competition fierce. Additionally, the code indicated that the HomeAccessory—likely not its final name—would run on some version of tvOS. If this proves to be true, the new device could resemble a hybrid of the iPad and HomePod, perhaps looking similar to the Google Pixel Tablet.

Other rumors suggest that the next HomeKit device might feature a camera for user identification and gesture recognition. Of course, this should all be taken with a degree of skepticism: none of these details have been confirmed yet. However, it is promising to see new developments in a smart home platform that has been somewhat underrepresented. With confirmed enhancements to HomeKit in iOS 18, including improved guest controls and support for robot vacuums, HomeKit may finally be receiving the attention it deserves.