On October 28, 2026, Amazon released multiple Echo devices, including the Echo Time smart alarm clock, the Alexa Smart Frame, an upgraded Echo Dot, the Echo Show 16, and an Echo Studio with camera. The Echo Time is designed for bedrooms with a 2.3-inch touchscreen and smart wake features; the Echo Dot runs on the AZ3 chip and supports Alexa+.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple is secretly developing a high-end smart home device codenamed J595, featuring a 9-inch screen and an electric robotic arm that can automatically turn toward whoever is speaking via voice recognition, with a possible launch between 2027 and 2028.
Apple unveiled the HomeView smart home hub at its “Welcome Home” event, priced at $299 and launching November 13, 2026. It has a 7-inch Liquid Retina touchscreen, Siri AI, and support for Matter and Thread, offered in a speaker-base version and a wall-mountable version. Apple also partnered with LG to release the Apple Home Collection of smart home devices co-designed by Apple.
In the first Power On podcast episode, Mark Gurman revealed that Apple's first smart home hub will use AI facial recognition to identify the current family member and switch to personalized photos, music, and calendar events. The product won't use Face ID, though specifics were not detailed. AppleInsider speculates future Apple smart home cameras could adopt the same technology.
Bloomberg reports that Apple plans to release several Siri AI-powered smart home devices on October 13, including a home hub codenamed J490, a new HomePod mini, and an updated Apple TV. The J490 features a roughly 6-inch square touchscreen, supports tabletop and wall mounting, controls HomeKit/Matter devices, and can recognize family members.