Ios 26 Code Reveals Apple's Wild New Smart Home Hub

Camera:The hub will actually have a camera. But it looks limited to 1080p resolution.
Face ID:Yes, the home hub will useFace ID! This is for authentication, but also to figure outwhois in the room. That’s a huge feature.
Profile Switching:Because of that Face ID feature, the hub can automatically switch to the correct profile for the person who is talking to it or interacting with it. Apple engineers are even using a special app just to test how accurate this profile switching system is.
Apple Intelligence:Naturally, the hub will fully supportApple Intelligenceand the powerful new version of Siri.

Cross Between iPad and HomePod

Other rumors also suggest what this thing will actually look like. It sounds like a mix between an iPad and a HomePod. It will have a square-shaped screen, probably around seven inches. You’ll also be able to get an optional speaker base to go with it.

The expectation is that this home hub will launch right around the same time the new Siri shows up in iOS 26.4. That will likely happen around March or April of next year.

Another Mystery Device

Macworld also spotted hints about something else, identified in the code as J229. This is apparently a “never-before-seen product” that isn’t a standalone hub. It is described as an accessory. It has multiple sensors. It can detect alarm sounds, and it can capture images. People think this is probably a new home security camera that Apple is working on to pair with the main hub. No one knows exactly when this camera accessory will launch, though.