The MacRumors Show: Apple's Mysterious Home Accessory

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through the latest rumors surrounding Apple's "Home Accessory" product, which could launch as soon as next year.


Apple's work on an iPad-like smart home display product has been reported for over a year. It is expected to serve as a smart home hub with features adopted from the ‌iPad‌, HomePod, and the Apple TV, such as video playback and AirPlay. Apple's backend code suggests it will feature the A18 chip and run a variant of tvOS like the ‌HomePod‌, and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says it will support Apple Intelligence and run Apple apps like Calendar, Notes, and Home, with an interface "optimized for controlling home appliances and quickly seeing information."

The latest rumors suggest that it could have a "squarish display" to distinguish it from the ‌iPad‌, along with a built-in camera for FaceTime, detecting hand gestures, and determining different users for personalized requests. The new device could launch as soon as next year. The MacRumors Show has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips:

You can also listen to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player.


If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion about first impressions of the iPhone 16 Pro, Apple Watch Series 10, and AirPods 4.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as Luke Miani, Matthew Cassinelli, Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Kevin Nether, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Jon Prosser, Sam Kohl, John Gruber, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.

‌The MacRumors Show‌ is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.

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Top Rated Comments

Mac Fly (film) Avatar
6 weeks ago
Reminds how great a design G4 iMac was. Return to form! Bring back G4 iMac design into the modern era with a chin-less, floating iMac display with prominent, professional quality speaker and Mac Studio style front port area.

AIO iMac with professional speakers encompassing much of the visible foot surface, with front located ports seamlessly integrated as part of a seamless, domed speaker design housing the computer. In addition to rear ports such as ethernet, several more Thunderbolt, and a built-in PSU (external power supplies suck).

24" and 30", height adjustable, weighted foot as prominent, large speaker, floating thin display, beautiful design. Give iMac personality again!

Example (should be macOS; no chin cleans up desk area; speaker design disguises fan ventilation holes):



Attachment Image
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alfonsog Avatar
6 weeks ago
But they want you to buy this and an iPad, not or an iPad. And it’s going to cost $999 because of the arm taken from iMac G4…
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
6 weeks ago

You mean, the iHome Pro?
HomePad
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
victorvictoria Avatar
6 weeks ago
Just guessing that this thing will meet the same fate as the Apple Car. Or maybe the Newton.

But I'm also convinced that there's a different "insanely great" product or service in the pipeline. That's always been the case, and no one went broke investing in Apple for the long term.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
I7guy Avatar
6 weeks ago

You mean, the iHome Pro?
No, the Apple Home Pro.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Tdude96 Avatar
6 weeks ago
I find myself in agreement with Hartley regarding the upcoming computer release being largely boring aside from the mild interest of a redesigned Mac mini. Adding a 6 month old chip to some of their computers with zero built up interest around it as anything more than an iterative update just isn't something that needs more than a press release.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)