Apple Inc. is developing a larger, robotic version of its HomeView smart home hub, code-named HomeView Ultra, with a potential launch as early as 2028 and a price point of approximately $1,000, according to reports.
The HomeView Ultra would feature a roughly 9-inch display, providing about 65 percent more screen area than the 7-inch display on the standard HomeView model. The device would be attached to its base via a robotic arm design that resembles the iMac G4 or a Pixar lamp, allowing for greater mobility within a home environment.
Equipped with cameras and sensors, the HomeView Ultra would be capable of navigating its surroundings, following users during FaceTime calls, and activating lights when people enter rooms. The device could also track and reposition objects such as pets, including cats, that may wander onto surfaces like tables.
Apple has been working on the larger robotic hub for several years, though the company has not confirmed a final design, name, or launch timeline. If released, the HomeView Ultra would represent Apple's first foray into mobile, robotically assisted smart home hardware at this scale.
The report, from The Information, notes that the device has "been floated" but may or may not launch under the HomeView Ultra name. No official announcement from Apple has been made regarding the project.
