Apple is working on an all-new iPad-like smart home device for controlling HomeKit accessories and making FaceTime calls, according to a new report from Bloomberg, which suggests that the new device could be mounted on walls or elsewhere around the home using magnetic fasteners.
According to the report, the new smart home device will essentially be a low-end iPad that would be built to rival products such as the Meta Portal, allowing users to make and receive FaceTime calls, control things like thermostats, lights and smart home accessories, and also play video.
Bloomberg has previously reported that it believes Apple has been working, in some capacity, on new speakers with screens and cameras to create its rumored smart home control device, which would combine an iPad-like display with a HomePod to achieve an Amazon Echo Show-like device.
The report suggests that Apple is aiming to launch its new smart home device next year, possibly alongside an upgraded Apple TV set-top-box with a faster processor.
