AI generated for better illustration.
We’ve been hearing rumors about Apple’s ambitions in the smart home space for ages, but there’s been little tangible beyond new home architectures. That’s probably changing now, because internal code from a preliminary version of iOS 26 confirms hardware plans in Cupertino. The US media Macworld was able to take a look and found concrete evidence of the hub, often referred to as HomePad, as well as another, previously unknown accessory.
The device with the internal abbreviation J490 is likely to be the hub in question. You can probably imagine the whole thing as a mixture of HomePod and iPad, equipped with a square display and speakers. Under the hood, an A18 chip should provide the necessary performance. A front camera with ultra-wide angle and center stage is also on board, but the resolution seems to be limited to 1080p.
FaceTime calls can be made directly from the device without having to have an iPhone nearby. The approach to biometrics is more exciting: Face ID is not only intended to be used for authentication, but also to recognize who is currently in the room. The system could then automatically switch to the appropriate user profile depending on who is in front of the device. Apple Intelligence is also supported thanks to the current chip.
In addition to the hub, another device appears in the code under the name J229. This is explicitly listed as an accessory and not as an independent device. It has various sensors, can capture images and detect alarm signals like smoke detectors. Since Apple is reportedly working on both cameras and doorbells, but the doorbell will probably be a long time coming, everything points to its own security camera. Internally, Apple is aiming for a release for both devices in spring 2026, to coincide with the release of iOS 26.4.
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