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 visual

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.