(Image source from: Businesstimes.com.sg)

Apple is introducing a suite of intelligent features, dubbed "Apple Intelligence," across various devices like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, as announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in 2024. Interestingly, the company's mixed-reality headset, the Apple Vision Pro, is also expected to incorporate these AI-powered capabilities. However, the tech giant's existing home devices, such as the HomePod and Apple TV, are not anticipated to receive any AI-related enhancements in the near future. Nevertheless, a recent report suggests that Apple is currently developing a novel robotic table-top device, which could potentially become the first home product to showcase the company's cutting-edge "Apple Intelligence" features. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the Cupertino-based tech giant has no immediate plans to integrate AI capabilities into its HomePod or Apple TV lineup. Instead, the company's focus is on creating a new table-top device that will harness robotic mechanisms to enhance its functionality. Gurman had previously mentioned this device in an April report, describing it as an "advanced table-top home device that uses robotics to move a display around."

The upcoming Apple device is designed to mimic the head movements of the user during video calls, and it can also focus on a specific individual within a group during the call. However, the precise AI capabilities that may be integrated into this device remain unclear. There is no confirmed timeline for the introduction of this product. Additionally, some Apple executives have expressed concerns about whether consumers would be willing to pay for such a device. Separately, a recent report suggests that Apple plans to introduce a new HomePod with a touchscreen display. While the details are unconfirmed, it's possible that the table-top robotic device mentioned in the report could be related to this new HomePod. Furthermore, it's been reported that the AI-powered Siri will not be released in beta until January 2025, and the public release is expected to coincide with the iOS 18.4 update, which is anticipated to arrive in the spring of next year.