Fortunately, Gurman has good news for anyone who is equally disappointed by the lack of an automatic rotating screen on the first-generation HomeView. The next version of the product, he claims, will feature a motorized robotic arm that will allow the screen to rotate 360 degrees and (based on voice recognition software) automatically face whoever is speaking to it. “Imagine a FaceTime call where the screen follows you as you move around the kitchen,” he explains, “or a family gathered around a counter with the screen automatically rotating toward whoever is speaking.”
The new model, Gurman emphasizes, is not just a sequel: it is an update. Aside from the robotic arm, it will also feature a larger screen, from 7 inches to 9 inches. It probably won’t just be called HomeView, with possible branding options including a Max or Ultra suffix.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about a smart robotic device. Last year, Apple published an article outlining research into the technology (with videos), and we’ve read rumors about such a device for years.
Gurman says this version of HomeView is already in development and is codenamed J595. (The original HomeView is J490). Its launch is planned for 2027 or 2028, he adds. It’s a pretty big window, but the development cycle for the original device lasted so long, he says, that long-lost Apple employees showed up after its release to brag about their involvement in its creation. Hopefully this time we won’t have to wait so long.
