GoKawiilApple's Siri-powered smart display 'J490' now being tested in employee homes
Apple is internally testing a smart home hub codenamed J490 that would rival Amazon's Echo Show and Google's Nest Hub, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The device would feature a camera, microphones, facial recognition to personalize content per user, and an interface blending iOS, tvOS and watchOS elements, all built around the newly launched Siri AI from iOS 27. Gurman also reported Apple scrapped a special Pencil designed for the dual-screen iPhone Duo due to technical issues, opting instead to support the existing iPad Apple Pencil.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
This marks Apple's most concrete step yet into the smart home display category it has avoided for years, positioning Siri AI as the centerpiece of a new hardware line rather than just a voice assistant feature. The facial recognition personalization also signals Apple's push toward more proactive, identity-aware software experiences across its ecosystem, though it raises fresh privacy considerations for an always-on home camera device.
- Apple is testing a Siri-based smart display, codenamed J490, in employee homes ahead of launch.
- The device uses facial recognition to personalize content like calendars, notes, and music per user.
- Apple canceled a custom Pencil for the iPhone Duo, opting to support the standard iPad Pencil by late 2026.
Amazon Echo Show 10 — While Apple's rumored smart display is still in testing, the Echo Show 10 already delivers the kind of home-hub experience being described—complete with a screen, camera, and far-field microphones for hands-free control. It's a great way to see what a competing smart display can do for smart home control, video calls, and personalized content today.
See Amazon Echo Show 10 on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: engadget.com — Steve Dent, 2026-09-21
Published there as: “Apple home hub device built around Siri AI may be almost ready”
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