A report from Bloomberg yesterday indicated that Apple is developing a wall-mounted smart display panel designed to serve as “a command center for the home,” with a potential release as soon as March next year.
Back in 2019, I experimented with this idea by wall-mounting an old iPad Air as a dedicated smart home control panel. The positive feedback I received makes me believe that Apple’s forthcoming product is likely to be a hit …
Apple’s Wall-Mounted Smart Display Panel
We initially came across code for this device in September of last year, though the exact design remained uncertain. Thankfully, Bloomberg has provided some clarity on what we might expect.
According to Bloomberg, it will have a square display, approximately 6 inches wide, “about the size of two iPhones side by side, with a thick edge around the display.”
Additionally, it is said to include a camera positioned at the top center, a rechargeable battery, and speakers. The design will be similar to a “classic home-security panel” mounted on the wall, and it will be available in both silver and black color options.
My iPad-Based Smart Home Control Panel
I decided to repurpose an old iPad Air, utilizing a magnetic mounting system to secure it to the end of a bookshelf in a central area of my home. I cleverly concealed a Lightning cable behind the bookshelf to keep the setup tidy.
I configured the iPad to prevent it from sleeping: Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock > Never, ensuring that my Favorites in the Home app displayed all Scenes and key devices on one screen.
Using Guided Access, I locked the iPad into the Home app. Go to Settings > General > scroll down to Accessibility > Guided Access > turn On. This allows you to set a passcode (I used the same one as the iPad). After opening the Home app, simply triple-click the Home button to lock it. To exit, triple-click again and enter the passcode.
At the time, the iPad Air was valued at around $150, making the overall setup cost approximately $180.
Visitor Reactions were Universally Positive
I primarily use a blend of automations and Siri to manage my smart home. I automate anything possible, employing timers, events (like sunset or the last person leaving), and motion sensors. If I need to activate a device or a scene, I simply issue a Siri command and the nearest HomePod responds.
My non-tech-savvy friends appreciate the automations (such as kitchen lights activating upon entry and turning off when there’s no detected motion), yet they often find Siri commands to be complex or hard to remember.
However, the feedback on my iPad control panel has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s straightforward to understand the buttons, taking merely 30 seconds to explain and demonstrate a scene, at which point friends are easily persuaded.
While interacting with the panel involves walking up to it (although it is easily removable), even non-techy visitors find it intuitive.
For many, this control panel has transformed smart home technology from a complex concept to something accessible and attractive. I am confident that Apple’s upcoming device will have a similar impact.
Photo: DMN
: . More.
