Apple is reportedly working on a new smart home device that will combine the functionality of the iPad, Apple TV, and HomePod into one. Apple's long-rumored smart home display is expected to be released as early as next year and may feature a retro design reminiscent of the iMac G4, one of Apple's favorite computers.

This is what Bloomberg's Mark Gurman had to say in this weekend's Power On newsletter, where he outlines what to expect from Apple's upcoming entry into the smart home arena. The device, with a square iPad-like display “about the size of two iPhones side by side,” will surely be in our Best Smart Displays rankings.

“The screen is positioned at an angle on a small pedestal, reminiscent of the circular bottom of the iMac G4 decades ago,” Gurman wrote, which would be a nice throwback for fans of the old-school iMac design. Apple may also include a speaker on the bottom, “essentially turning this device into a HomePod with a screen.”

Garman also noted earlier reports that Apple's next smart display, likely designed to compete with Amazon's Echo Show and Google's Nest Hub, will run on the A18 chip. This would enable support for Apple Intelligence, Apple's AI-powered feature set, but the company's current home lineup lacks hardware to run on-device. Between its small size and “relatively inexpensive” price tag, Garman speculates that it would be marketed as a smart display that would be installed throughout the home for Apple TV Plus streaming, FaceTime calls, web surfing, and checking apps like Calendar and Notes. The smart display will run on a new operating system called homeOS, which is based on Apple TV's tvOS.

We'll have to wait until next year to see if it's good enough to make our list of best smart home devices; 9to5Mac previously reported that Apple is eyeing a spring 2025 release.