Apple is reportedly working on a more advanced version of its Home View smart home device, with a motorised robotic arm that could rotate a 9-inch display in any direction and turn towards the person speaking. Codenamed J595, the upcoming device is expected to sit above the current model as a more expensive premium offering rather than serve as a direct replacement.

The reported development comes as Apple looks to strengthen its position in the smart home market, where Amazon and Google already have established products and broader third-party app support.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the upgraded Home View could address one of the key limitations of the current device: its inability to swivel towards different users around the home.

Apple Could Give Home View a 360-Degree Moving Display

The most notable feature of the reported upgrade is its motorised robotic arm. The mechanism is expected to support a 9-inch display that can swivel 360 degrees, potentially allowing the screen to turn towards whoever is speaking to it.

Such a design could make the device more adaptable to different positions within a room. Instead of requiring users to stand directly in front of a fixed screen, the display could adjust its orientation based on the person interacting with it.

The device, identified internally by the codename J595, is reportedly being developed as a higher-priced option. This suggests Apple may offer it alongside the existing Home View rather than simply replacing the current model with a more expensive version.

However, the reported specifications and features have not been confirmed in an official announcement from Apple.

Why Apple’s $299 Price Matters

Apple has reportedly priced the current Home View at $299, an important consideration as it enters a market already served by Amazon and Google.

Gurman reported that Apple built up a substantial inventory of components before memory shortages pushed prices higher earlier this year. That stockpile reportedly helped the company maintain the device’s price despite rising component costs.

While the pricing may help Apple attract buyers, the current hardware has drawn criticism over some of its design choices.

The wall-mounted version does not include a power supply, while the magnetic mounting system developed by Schneider Electric is sold separately. These additional requirements could increase the overall cost for customers who want to mount the device on a wall.

The current model also has limitations in its software ecosystem. Third-party app support is restricted, and Apple TV offers only mainstream video apps on the device, leaving it short of the wider app selection available through competing smart home products from Google and Amazon.

The lack of a swivelling display is another limitation that the reported J595 model could address.

App Support Remains a Challenge for Apple

Hardware improvements alone may not be enough to help Apple compete more effectively in the smart home market. The availability of apps and services is another important part of the experience.

The current Home View’s restricted third-party app support could limit its appeal to users who want a single device for a wider range of connected services. The reported robotic arm would improve how people interact with the screen, but the available information does not establish whether Apple plans to expand app support with the upgraded model.

For Apple, the challenge is to combine its hardware design with a more versatile smart home experience while competing against established alternatives.

iPad Mini Price Increase Also Reportedly Under Consideration

Gurman’s report also points to a possible price increase for the iPad mini. However, no revised price or timeline has been specified in the supplied information.

Separately, Apple is reportedly developing an AI-powered security camera focused on privacy. The device, codenamed J450, is expected to launch later next year.

The camera would add another product to Apple’s reported smart home plans, although its final features, pricing and launch details remain unconfirmed.

If the reported plans materialise, Apple could expand its smart home lineup beyond a fixed-screen device to include a motorised display and an AI-powered security camera. For now, the 360-degree robotic arm remains the standout detail in the company’s reported next-generation Home View plans.

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