## Apple Reportedly Planning AI Comeback with Smart Home Devices, Including a Tabletop Robot **News Title:** Apple Reportedly Planning AI Comeback, Complete With a Tabletop Robot **Source:** CNET **Report Provider/Author:** CNET editor Gael Fashingbauer Cooper (co-author of the report), citing Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. **Date of Publication:** August 13, 2025 This report from CNET, based on information from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, details Apple's alleged plans to expand its presence in the smart home market by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI). The tech giant is reportedly developing a range of new smart home devices, with a particular focus on a **tabletop robot**. ### Key Findings and Product Plans: * **Strategic Focus on AI and Smart Home:** Apple aims to utilize AI to drive sales of new smart home devices, moving beyond its current core product lines like the iPhone, Apple Watch, and MacBooks. * **Tabletop Robot (Expected 2027):** * This is described as the central piece of Apple's new smart home strategy. * It is reported to feature a "lifelike version of Siri" and the ability to "engage with users throughout the day." * The robot is expected to resemble an iPad mounted on a movable limb, allowing it to reposition itself to face users. * This is not the first time Bloomberg has reported on this concept; previous reports mentioned two potential concepts: a mobile home robot and a tabletop robotic device. * **Standalone Smart Display:** * This device is described as a "stripped-down version of the robot." * It will function as a smart speaker with a screen but will **not** include a robotic arm or conversational Siri. * Its capabilities will include music playback, note-taking, home device control, and video conferencing. * This device is expected to run on a new operating system called "Charismatic." * **Home Security Cameras:** * Apple intends to enter the growing home security camera market. * These cameras will be designed to serve as the foundation for an Apple security system. ### Context and Potential Challenges: * **Market Unproven:** The report acknowledges that the market for home robots is "unproven," referencing past commentary from former CNET senior editor Lisa Eadicicco in 2024. The need and desire for robotic helpers in homes remain a question. * **Apple's Current Portfolio:** Apple is primarily known for its consumer electronics like iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks. This expansion into robotics and more integrated smart home systems represents a significant strategic shift. ### Expert Credentials: The report is co-authored by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, a journalist with extensive experience since 1989, including roles at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Sidewalk, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and NBC News Digital. She is also the co-author of two Gen X pop-culture encyclopedias and has received multiple awards for headline writing. Her expertise spans breaking news, entertainment, lifestyle, technology history, and generational studies. ### Publisher Information: * **Publisher:** CNET * **URL:** https://www.cnet.com **Note:** An Apple representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding these plans.
Apple Reportedly Planning AI Comeback, Complete With a Tabletop Robot
Read original at CNET →Home security cameras and a standalone smart display are also coming, the report says. CNET editor Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, a journalist and pop-culture junkie, is co-author of "Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops? The Lost Toys, Tastes and Trends of the '70s and '80s," as well as "The Totally Sweet '90s."
She's been a journalist since 1989, working at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Sidewalk, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and NBC News Digital. She's Gen X in birthdate, word and deed. If Marathon candy bars ever come back, she'll be first in line. Expertise Breaking news, entertainment, lifestyle, travel, food, shopping and deals, product reviews, money and finance, video games, pets, history, books, technology history, and generational studies CredentialsCo-author of two Gen X pop-culture encyclopedia for Penguin Books.
Won "Headline Writer of the Year" award for 2017, 2014 and 2013 from the American Copy Editors Society. Won first place in headline writing from the 2013 Society for Features Journalism. Apple wants a bigger place in your home, according to a report Wednesday from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. While you might think of Apple primarily as the maker of the iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, MacBook, AirPods and more, the tech giant reportedly hopes to use artificial intelligence to sell you a number of new smart home devices.
Those devices may include a tabletop robot, home security cameras and a smart speaker with a screen.An Apple representative didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.Tabletop robotAccording to Bloomberg, at the center of the plan is the tabletop robot, reportedly coming in 2027. Bloomberg -- and CNET -- have reported on this plan before.
At that time, the company reportedly had two concepts in mind: a robot that can move around the home and a tabletop robotic device. Now, Bloomberg says the robot "will feature a lifelike version of Siri and the ability to engage with users throughout the day." It reportedly resembles an iPad mounted on a movable limb that can reposition itself to face you.
Former CNET senior editor Lisa Eadicicco wrote in 2024 that "perhaps the biggest challenge when it comes to a home robot is that the market is unproven." We've all seen the robot maid Rosie on the old Jetsons cartoon, but do we really need or want a robotic helper in our homes?Standalone smart displayAnother item Apple is reportedly working on is essentially a smart speaker with a screen.
Bloomberg calls this a "stripped-down version of the robot." It won't have a robotic arm or conversational Siri, but it should be able to do such things as music playback, note taking, control home devices and video conferencing. Bloomberg says it will run a new operating system called Charismatic.
Home security camerasHome security cameras are becoming more and more popular, and Apple wants to move into that realm as well. The company will make cameras that will anchor an Apple security system, the report says.
