New Apple HomeOS Devices Tipped for 2025

Apple plans to debut a new operating system called homeOS with its long-rumoured smart displays.

Apple has been a dominant force in the tech world for years, and its ecosystem has been instrumental in shaping the consumer electronics industry. Now, Apple is reportedly preparing to take another significant step with the development of HomeOS, a new operating system aimed at revolutionizing the smart home ecosystem. Though Apple hasn’t officially confirmed all the details, there’s enough information and speculation to paint a promising picture of what this system could entail and how it could enhance Apple’s smart home strategy.

What is HomeOS?

HomeOS is expected to be Apple’s dedicated operating system for smart home devices, which will likely unify its existing smart home products, such as the HomePod, Apple TV, and other HomeKit-enabled accessories. While Apple has long supported smart home functionality through its HomeKit framework, HomeOS is anticipated to offer a more cohesive and streamlined experience.

In contrast to HomeKit, which serves as a bridge between iOS/macOS and smart home devices, HomeOS could act as the backbone, a centralized operating system dedicated entirely to managing smart devices. This would give Apple the opportunity to integrate advanced features, security protocols, and an intuitive user interface.

Expected Features of HomeOS

1) Deeper Integration Across Apple Devices HomeOS is expected to provide tighter integration with Apple’s suite of devices—iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and more. This will allow users to control and monitor their homes seamlessly from any Apple device. We can also expect Siri to play a central role, as it’s likely to become the primary interface for voice control within HomeOS.

2) Unified Control Interface A major part of HomeOS will likely be a dedicated control hub where users can manage all their smart devices, whether they’re from Apple or third-party brands that support Matter, the universal smart home standard. This will make it easier for users to organise, automate, and monitor their devices without juggling multiple apps or platforms.

3) Enhanced Automation and AI Capabilities Apple is expected to leverage its prowess in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to offer advanced automation features. HomeOS could intelligently learn your routines and preferences, automating lighting, climate control, and even security features. For instance, it may suggest or automatically trigger scenes based on time of day, location, or behavioural patterns.

4) Improved Privacy and Security Privacy has been a cornerstone of Apple’s philosophy, and HomeOS will likely continue this trend. Apple’s stringent privacy standards will be crucial, especially given the sensitive nature of smart home devices. HomeOS could feature enhanced encryption and privacy settings, ensuring that user data is protected and that devices cannot be exploited by malicious actors.

5) Interoperability with Matter Apple has been a key partner in the development of Matter, the smart home standard that aims to unify various ecosystems (Apple, Google, Amazon, etc.) under one roof. HomeOS will undoubtedly include deep Matter support, making it easier for users to connect and control smart devices from different manufacturers without any complex setup.

6) Energy Management and Sustainability Features As smart homes become more energy-efficient, HomeOS is expected to introduce energy management tools. Users may get real-time insights into energy consumption across devices and potentially receive suggestions for more eco-friendly usage patterns, helping reduce the environmental impact of modern homes.

New Smart Devices to Complement HomeOS

Apple has already been developing smart home hardware, but HomeOS may bring new products and upgrades to existing ones.

HomePod Expansion: The HomePod Mini has already seen success, and it’s likely that Apple will expand its HomePod lineup. With HomeOS, the HomePod could become an even more integral part of the smart home ecosystem, possibly serving as a hub for more advanced automation features or spatial audio-based room sensing capabilities.

Apple TV Enhancements: Apple TV is already a significant player in Apple’s home strategy. Expect it to gain new functionality as a smart home hub running on HomeOS. It could become more central to managing home entertainment, security cameras, and even smart appliances, offering users a big-screen view of their smart home’s status.

New Smart Displays: Rumours have been circulating about Apple working on a smart display, similar to Amazon’s Echo Show or Google’s Nest Hub. If HomeOS is central to this effort, it’s possible that Apple’s take on a smart display would offer a beautifully integrated interface, allowing users to control their devices through touch, voice, and even gestures.

Smart Lighting and Security Devices: HomeOS might bring new first-party Apple devices in the lighting and security categories. With Apple's design and functionality standards, these products could stand out in an already crowded market. Additionally, integration with HomeKit and HomeOS would ensure top-notch performance and privacy.

The Future of the Smart Home: Apple's Vision

Apple's goal with HomeOS is to provide users with a seamless, integrated smart home experience. Instead of dealing with fragmented systems and disjointed ecosystems, users will be able to manage all their devices through one operating system, backed by Apple’s secure and user-friendly design.

By creating HomeOS, Apple is also laying the foundation for future advancements in augmented reality (AR), machine learning, and automation within the smart home space. The system may pave the way for new technologies like virtual assistants that can interact more dynamically with your environment or smart glasses that overlay home information right into your field of vision.

As smart home devices continue to proliferate, Apple’s HomeOS could represent a pivotal moment for the industry. By creating a dedicated operating system, Apple is poised to offer a cohesive, user-friendly smart home experience that seamlessly integrates with its existing ecosystem. Expect HomeOS to emphasise security, privacy, automation, and ease of use, setting the stage for a new era in the connected home.

The official launch of HomeOS and its accompanying hardware might be just around the corner, and if Apple’s past innovations are any indication, it will be well worth the wait.