Key Takeaways
- Apple (AAPL) is reportedly planning a significant Artificial Intelligence (AI) comeback with a suite of new hardware, including a tabletop robot, an advanced smart speaker with a display, and a new line of home-security cameras.
- The centerpiece of this strategy is a tabletop robot, codenamed J595, targeted for a 2027 release, which will feature a movable iPad-like display designed to act as a virtual companion.
- A revamped, more lifelike Siri with a visual personality and the ability to proactively engage in conversations is also in development, with Apple reportedly considering third-party large language models from companies like Anthropic or OpenAI to power it.
- The news, initially reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, saw Apple shares climb nearly 2% to $233.70, signaling investor optimism for the company's renewed focus on AI hardware innovation.
Apple (AAPL) is reportedly embarking on an ambitious initiative to re-establish its leadership in artificial intelligence, with plans for a range of new devices aimed at the smart home market. This strategic pivot comes as the tech giant seeks to regain its innovative edge following a perceived slow start in generative AI and a mixed reception for its Vision Pro headset. The company faces increasing pressure from rivals such as Samsung (SSNLF), Meta Platforms (META), and OpenAI, the latter of which is collaborating with former Apple design chief Jony Ive on new AI-driven hardware.
The most prominent device in Apple's upcoming AI arsenal is a tabletop robot, codenamed J595, slated for a 2027 launch. This device is described as resembling an iPad mounted on a movable arm, capable of swiveling and repositioning itself to follow users around a room. Nicknamed the "Pixar Lamp," this roughly 7-inch display is envisioned as a virtual companion for tasks, media consumption, and particularly FaceTime calls, with the ability to shift its view to track individuals.
Complementing the robot is a new smart speaker with a display, codenamed J490, expected to arrive by mid-2026. This device is a more streamlined version of the robot, lacking the movable arm, and its release was reportedly delayed due to its reliance on advanced Siri features. Furthermore, Apple is developing a new line of home-security cameras to directly compete with existing offerings from Amazon's Ring (AMZN) and Google's Nest (GOOGL). These cameras, potentially launching in 2026, are anticipated to integrate features like facial recognition and infrared sensors to automate household functions.
A critical component of Apple's AI resurgence is a completely overhauled version of its voice assistant, Siri. The new Siri is designed to be more lifelike, capable of proactively injecting itself into conversations to offer suggestions for activities like dinner plans or recipes. Apple is reportedly exploring giving Siri a visual personality, codenamed "Bubbles," with test designs reminiscent of the Mac's Finder icon or Memoji. In a potentially significant shift, Apple is considering leveraging external large language models from Anthropic PBC (Claude) or OpenAI (ChatGPT) to power this new version of Siri, a departure from its traditional in-house AI development for core technologies.
These developments are part of a broader strategy to reinvigorate Apple's product pipeline and strengthen its ecosystem. The company's robotics unit has recently been moved to the hardware engineering division, and Siri's leadership has also seen changes, indicating a concerted effort to accelerate these initiatives. The market has reacted positively to the news, with Apple's stock experiencing a notable uptick following the Bloomberg report.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.