Mark Gurman reports Apple (AAPL.O) could launch as early as next month a
smart-home screen device, internal codename J490. Positioned as one of the first
major releases under Ternus, the device will integrate control of connected home
devices, video calls, intercom, media playback and access to Apple services and
apps, and will run a new Siri-AI–centred operating system now being widely
tested in employees’ homes. The display is roughly square, sits on a base or can
be wall-mounted and is visually likened to a halved HomePod mini. A key feature
is front-camera face recognition that personalizes the display by user identity;
Gurman says Apple can achieve this without a Face ID–class depth sensor, which
could enable similar face recognition on an iPhone Duo (currently reliant on
Touch ID) without the physical space required by traditional Face ID systems.