After years of rumors, the highly anticipated Apple smart display finally has a solid release date. A recent report from Bloomberg states the new HomePad smart home hub will launch on Tuesday, October 13. This release marks a very big step for the company as it pushes deeper into the home automation market under the guidance of its brand new chief executive officer, John Ternus.
Retro hardware design takes cues from a classic desktop computer
The HomePad features a six inch display that sits on a unique base. According to the report, the physical design takes direct inspiration from the older iMac G4. This gives the hub a very distinct look compared to standard flat screens.
It will act as a central controller for your house. You will be able to manage your Apple TV streaming box or play music on a HomePod mini directly from this screen. People will also rely heavily on Siri to issue voice commands from across the room.
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The operating system blends features from different software platforms
While the physical hardware is new, the software inside will feel familiar. The interface will likely borrow ideas from iOS to give you simple touch controls. It might also use background elements from watchOS and tvOS to keep things running fast and light.
This mix of software makes it easy for anyone to pick up and use right away. Launching this hub shows the company wants to be a serious player in the smart home space, offering a better way to control everyday gadgets.
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