This year, Apple is set to introduce three new Home products, and the standout is undoubtedly the new smart display, which I’ve named ‘HomePad.’ This innovation fulfills a crucial gap in Apple’s smart home ecosystem.
Apple Home is receiving its first genuine command center
For a long time, Apple has facilitated the concept of a ‘home hub’ within its range of products.
As detailed in their support documentation, you can utilize a HomePod, HomePod mini, Apple TV, or even an iPad as a ‘home hub.’
But what does this really entail? Well, it means that your home hub enables you to control smart home devices remotely, execute automations, and more.
Being labeled a home hub does not necessarily indicate it serves as the central control unit for all your smart home requirements. Instead, it simply provides some connectivity advantages.
The upcoming HomePad, in contrast, will serve as a genuine ‘home hub’ in another respect: it will act as the physical command center for managing smart home devices.
The initial HomePod was envisioned as such a device, but managing home devices through it relied entirely on Siri.
Regardless of your experiences with Siri—positive or negative—it’s still insufficient. Siri running on HomePod does not provide a fully functional smart home ‘command center’ for one primary reason: it operates solely through voice commands.
With the introduction of HomePad, users will gain the ability to oversee and manage all their smart home devices using both Siri and a tactile display.
This isn’t a groundbreaking concept; you can already manipulate various screens such as iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, Apple TV 4K, and even Vision Pro to manage home devices.
However, Apple has never before introduced a screen specifically designed to function as a home hub, serving as a command center for your smart home.
HomePad will enhance accessibility to smart home controls
Some users have creatively transformed old iPads into smart home command hubs, but the iPad isn’t specifically designed for this function. It doesn’t operate on a system tailored for this purpose.
In contrast, the HomePad will be optimized for that role.
With its 7-inch square screen, the HomePad can be placed on your kitchen countertop, mounted to your fridge, or positioned on a console table, acting as a dedicated physical controller for your smart home.
Some users prefer managing their home devices via Siri—and they can continue to do so.
However, for many non-tech-savvy individuals, having a visual and tactile control option will be a significant enhancement.
If Apple can make the HomePad affordable enough to have several units throughout your home, you’ll have convenient smart home command centers available wherever you need them.
Smart home hubs with displays have been available from competitors like Amazon and Google for some time, but for Apple Home enthusiasts, the HomePad promises to deliver the solution we’ve been anticipating.
Will you utilize the HomePad as your smart accessory command center? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Top HomeKit smart home accessories
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