Apple Aiming to Launch Tabletop Robotic Home Device as Soon as 2026 With Pricing Around $1,000

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses Apple's plans to develop a new tabletop robotic device with a large iPad-like display mounted on a thin robotic arm. The device would serve as a smart home command center, a videoconferencing machine, and a home security monitoring tool, leveraging Siri and Apple Intelligence. Apple has prioritized the development of this device, which is expected to launch as soon as 2026 or 2027 at a target price of around $1,000.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Apple's Tabletop Robotic Device

1. What are the key features of the tabletop robotic device that Apple is developing?

• The device would have a large iPad-like display mounted on a thin robotic arm that can tilt, move up and down, and rotate 360 degrees.
• It would serve as a smart home command center, a videoconferencing machine (e.g., for FaceTime calls), and a home security monitoring tool.
• The device would leverage Siri and Apple Intelligence, allowing it to respond to verbal commands, recognize different voices, and automatically orient the display to face users in the room.

2. What is the current status of Apple's development of this device?

• Apple has been working on the idea for some time, but has recently prioritized its development.
• The project is now under the purview of Kevin Lynch, Apple's vice president of technology who has overseen projects like the Apple Watch and Apple's self-driving car venture.
• Apple is aiming to launch the device as soon as 2026 or 2027 and is trying to get the price down to around $1,000, though plans may change as development proceeds.

[02] iPhone 16 Series

1. What are the expected details about the iPhone 16 series?

• The iPhone 16 series is expected to be released in September 2024, following Apple's annual iPhone release pattern.
• The lineup is expected to include four models: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
• One new feature rumored for the iPhone 16 series is a "Capture Button" designed to make it easier to take photos when the device is held in landscape mode.

2. What other Apple software updates are mentioned?

• Apple is currently beta testing iOS 18 and the first update to iOS 18, iOS 18.1, concurrently.
• The iOS 18.1 update is focused on bringing the .1 betas in line with the standard iOS 18 betas, which recently received updates to Photos and Safari.