Apple's home hub J490 could launch as soon as October

Apple is testing its long-delayed smart home display, known internally as J490, in employees' homes and could launch it as early as October 2026. The roughly 7-inch square device uses front-camera facial recognition without Face ID and runs Siri AI from iOS 27, with a launch window through early 2027 and no confirmed price.

• About 7-inch square screen, with stand and magnetic wall-mount versions
• Facial recognition personalizes calendar, notes, music and news
• Siri AI searches across devices and accounts, handles Home and FaceTime
• Launch expected between October 2026 and early 2027, price unconfirmed