Apple’s long-anticipated smart home display is inching closer to release, as new clues hidden in the iOS 18.6 beta suggest the tech giant is fine-tuning its plans. 
This new device, potentially an iPad-inspired Home Hub, aims to control smart devices, offer FaceTime support, and even mount on walls.
According to 9to5Mac, a newly discovered Apple logo asset in the beta hints at the device’s screen size. The asset, found under the path /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/ProgressUI.framework/, is named apple-logo-1088@2x~home.png. The “~home” suffix is noteworthy, as it refers to Apple’s internal “homeOS” platform, which is being developed for smart home gadgets.
The company typically uses logo files to correlate with specific screen sizes. For instance, an asset like apple-logo-2532 corresponds to the iPhone 13 and 14, which have a resolution of 2532×1170. Based on this pattern, the new 1088@2x logo likely refers to a screen width of 2176 pixels. This falls within the size range of the iPad mini, which features a screen resolution of 2266×1488. Although this doesn’t guarantee exact dimensions, it suggests the smart display may be around 7 to 8 inches diagonally.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman previously reported that the smart home display would sport a 7-inch screen, aligning with these new findings. The product is expected to be wall-mountable and support FaceTime, positioning it as a versatile home assistant that combines features of an iPad and a smart speaker.
One key difference between this device and the iPad mini is the lower pixel density of the display. Since the smart display will be a stationary device often viewed from a distance, the resolution doesn’t need to be as sharp. This tradeoff helps reduce production costs, making it potentially more affordable than the $499 iPad mini.
However, Apple is entering a competitive smart home market. Google has already made significant strides with its Nest Hub lineup and a more adaptable Google Home app. Google’s platform also supports a wide variety of third-party devices, something Apple has struggled with. This may change with the broader rollout of the Matter protocol, which aims to standardize smart home device compatibility.
While no official release date has been confirmed, these discoveries show that Apple is actively developing the device. Its delay could be linked to Apple’s efforts to enhance Siri, which is expected to play a central role in controlling the hub.
As Apple seeks to expand its product range and integrate devices more closely with its services, a smart home hub could be a logical next step. With a compact, wall-friendly design, this product may finally bring the vision of an Apple-powered smart home closer to reality.