Apple is planning the next big step in the smart home sector. With a new central device, the so-called Smart Home Command Center, the company wants to make controlling your home as easy and efficient as possible. While Apple already offers products such as the HomePod or Apple TV as smart home hubs, this new accessory goes a step further. It is designed as an all-in-one solution to centrally control all smart home devices. Below you will find all known details about the design, functions and Apple's plans.
Smart home devices have long been part of many people's everyday lives. Lights, heating or security cameras can be controlled via an app and voice assistants such as Siri, Alexa or Google Assistant have accelerated this trend. Apple, known for its closed product world and high data protection standards, wants to play a key role in this market. With the new Smart Home Command Center, Apple seems to be developing a solution that not only integrates existing devices but also offers a new level of ease of use.
design and equipment
The Smart Home Command Center will be a standalone device similar in size and shape to an iPad. According to reports, it will have a 6-inch display with thick bezels. It will be small and light enough to carry from room to room. Alternatively, you can mount it on the wall or use it in a special dock that may integrate additional speakers. The device will have a touchscreen interface that you can use to control apps and connected devices. It will also have a front camera for video calls and will be equipped with a rechargeable battery. Apple is planning two color variants: black and silver. Particularly exciting is the concept of a hemispherical base, reminiscent of the design of the old iMac G4. This would allow the device to be positioned flexibly while the display is tilted at a comfortable angle.
Sensor Technology and Automation
An outstanding feature of the new device will be the integrated sensors. They are designed to detect how close you are to the device and adjust the information displayed accordingly. If you are further away, it will show you the temperature or basic status displays, for example. If you move closer, you can interact with functions such as controlling the lights or heating. In addition, person detection could ensure that the device distinguishes between different users. Hand gestures could also be recognized, which would enable touchless control. Apple is also thinking about developing additional sensors that can be distributed throughout the house and connected to the central device.
performance and software
Inside the Smart Home Command Center, an A18 chip is expected to work, supported by at least 8 GB of RAM. This hardware ensures that the device is powerful enough to work seamlessly with Apple Intelligence. The user interface will be a mix of watchOS and the iPhone's standby mode. Widgets should give you quick access to important information such as the weather, your smart home controls or upcoming appointments. A software-based dock will allow you to switch between different apps. Siri will also be deeply integrated into the functions so that you can control your home using voice commands. A separate app store for the device is not planned, but pre-installed apps such as Safari, Apple Music, Messages, Notes and Calendar will be available to you. The "Home" app will of course play a central role, as it allows you to control all HomeKit devices. The idea of using several devices in the house as an intercom is also interesting.
Music and AirPlay
With the built-in speakers, the device will not only control your home but also be able to play music. It will be able to act as an AirPlay receiver so you can play music from your iPhone or iPad on it. The dock could contain additional speakers to improve the audio quality.
Future developments
Apple plans to initially use the new device as a test for the smart home market. If it is successful, other products could follow. Apple sees potential particularly in the area of security cameras. Its own camera, which is deeply integrated with Siri and Apple Intelligence, could come onto the market from 2026. As always, Apple will put data protection first. This could be a decisive advantage over competing products such as Ring or Nest.
competition
Apple's Smart Home Command Center enters a highly competitive market. Amazon offers a similar solution with the Echo Show, which is available in different sizes and controlled with Alexa. Google's Nest Hub Max combines smart home control with a smart display, and Facebook's Meta Portal offers similar features. However, Apple is focusing on deeper integration into its own ecosystem, which should be particularly attractive to existing Apple users.
Price and availability
No official information on the price is known so far. Comparable devices such as the Echo Show cost between 100 and 300 euros, depending on the model. It is conceivable that Apple will enter the market with a competitive pricing strategy. The planned market launch is set for early 2025.
Smart, safe and stylish: Apple's path to the smart home
Apple's new Smart Home Command Center could fundamentally change the way we control our homes. It combines innovative technologies such as sensors and artificial intelligence with a well-thought-out design and seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem. Whether as a central hub for your smart home or as a supplement to existing devices - this product has the potential to be a huge success. With its focus on data protection and user-friendliness, Apple offers an exciting alternative to existing solutions. The market launch in early 2025 will show whether Apple can dominate the smart home market as much as other areas of technology. Stay tuned! Looking for the best accessories? Visit our Amazon Storefront and discover a variety of products from top providers, including for HomeKit! (Image: Apple)
