Apple's Home Hub: Employee Testing Paves the Way for 2025 Smart Home Revolution

Rumored Apple Home Hub in Employee Testing Apple's long-rumored Home Hub peripheral, code-named J490, is reportedly under employee testing and may debut in the second half of 2025. The device is expected to be announced at the WWDC developer conference or later. Internal testing includes select employees taking the device home for real-world feedback.

Device Features and Versions

• Camera: For FaceTime calls
• High-Quality Speaker: Integrated into the Home Hub
• Two Versions:
  • iPad-like Device: Wall-mountable with display, doubling as a HomePod audio device
  • Robotic Arm: Tabletop device that can 'follow' user movements during video calls, similar to CenterStage

Smart Home Ecosystem

Apple is working on expanding its HomeKit ecosystem:

• Smart Doorbell: Future integration with Home Key feature
• Indoor Security Cameras: Potential Apple release or partnerships for HomeKit compatibility
• Firmware and Compatibility: Collaborations with manufacturers like Ikea to ensure HomeKit compatibility with smart home accessories

Development Context

• Siri Delay: Expected to be a bigger part of iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS updates
• HomeOS: tvOS may evolve into the basis for a future homeOS
• Mass Production: Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts mass production in the second half of 2025, aiming for a holiday-season debut

User Experience

The Home Hub is intended to deeply integrate with personal Apple devices, coordinating Contacts, Calendar, Reminders, and other apps.