On September 20, tech journalist Mark Gurman revealed that Apple is expected to announce a smart home screen device as early as next month. Led by Ternus, this device will become one of the highly anticipated new products in the early stages of his tenure at Apple. The device will integrate functions such as connected device control, video calls, intercom, and media playback, while allowing users to access Apple services and applications. Internally codenamed J490, the device runs on a new operating system based on Siri AI and is currently undergoing extensive testing in the homes of Apple employees. The device features a square screen that can be placed on a stand, resembling a HomePod mini cut in half, or mounted on a wall. One of its key functions is facial recognition through a front-facing camera system, enabling personalized content display based on the user's identity. Notably, Apple has achieved this capability without relying on Face ID-level depth sensors, suggesting that future iPhones may also enable facial recognition without requiring the physical space needed for traditional facial recognition systems.
