Apple’s first ever smart display rumored alongside quirky ‘tabletop robot’

By Paulo Vargas Published October 15, 2025

What’s happened? It appears Apple is, finally, building a proper smart screen for the home. The centerpiece is a roughly 7-inch display that runs your place, with a FaceTime camera and identity-aware software that shifts to whoever walks up. The launch has apparently moved to spring 2026 after Apple delayed its Apple Intelligence AI it wants to ship alongside it.

Why this matters: Apple has never shipped a dedicated home controller, or suite of smart home devices outside of the HomePod and HomePod Mini. This lineup, a screen first, then security cameras, and later a tabletop robot, puts it directly against Amazon and Google, and ties Apple’s hardware to a broader AI Siri upgrade.

Why should I care? If you live in Apple’s world, this fills the blank spot on your counter or wall. It centralizes HomeKit devices, FaceTime, music, and a more capable Siri so you reach for your phone less.

Okay, so what’s next? The report says Apple will ship the screen first, the cameras could follow late next year, and the tabletop robot the year after. To keep costs and risk in check, Apple is leaning on LCD panels and Vietnam production.