Apple is purportedly working on a smart home platform that may be an overhaul of its smart home strategy, with references to “homeOS’ found in the developer version of tvOS 17.4.
The mention to “homeOS” was first discovered by Apple technology news site MacRumors, and follows a similar 2021 story when Apple listed job postings that mentioned homeOS. That term was deleted from the posting when it was noticed by news outlets, and this year’s instance is the first we’ve heard of “homeOS” since then.
What homeOS does is very unclear, but it could signal a revamp of the Apple smart home experience and a new HomePod operating system, which is currently linked to the HomeKit platform or powered by a version if tvOS.
According to MacRumors, the 2018 HomePod ran a modified version of iOS 11 upon launch, but Apple transitioned to using the tvOS platform to the HomePod with the release of HomePod software 13.4. The website suggests that Apple may be combining the tvOS and HomePod software and rebranding it as homeOS.
While we don’t exactly know what “homeOS” is, or if it will even see the light of day, Apple is reportedly working on a new smart home display designed to compete with the Echo Show, Meta Portal and Google Nest Hub, MacRumors reports. The device will have an iPad-like design, but will be designed to be mounted to the wall to serve as a smart home control interface.
2024 Lighting Controls and Fixtures Report
Lightapalooza took place in late February, and the growth of the event has mirrored the rapid ascension lighting fixtures and controls.Download your copy now!
“The device could also feature HomePod-like speakers, and if the product sees a release, it could be part of Apple’s HomePod lineup,” MacRumors repots.
The website also reports rumors of a next-generation version of the HomePod with a diplsay at the top of the device, which could be released sometime this year.
MacRumors reports that tvOs 17.4 is expected to be released in March alongside iOS 17.4, and Apple is also believed to be readying an iPad refresh the same month, so we may learn more about homeOS in a few weeks.
Apple’s iOS 17, iPadOS 17 and tvOS 17, launched last year, introduced new smart home controls and features, including new Home features, FaceTime and conference calls on Apple TV, and new display options.
If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our digital newsletters!
