Apple's robotic HomeView with a 9-inch swiveling screen could cost about $1,000, The Information reports

Apple is working on a larger, robotic version of its HomeView smart home display, according to a new report from The Information, as relayed by MacRumors on November 2.

Reporter Aaron Tilley says a prototype carries a 9-inch screen mounted on a swiveling arm, a design he compares to Apple's old iMac G4 or the desk lamp that serves as Pixar's mascot. The product is reportedly known internally under names such as "HomeView Ultra" or "HomeView Max," though the final name could differ. For comparison, the standard HomeView that Apple has already announced uses a 7-inch display.

What it is said to do

The report says the device would handle everyday tasks such as FaceTime calls. It would also use a camera and sensors to understand its surroundings and act without being asked, for example by turning on lights when someone walks into a room. Tilley adds that the design aims to avoid bumping into nearby objects as it moves. MacRumors notes that Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has previously described much of this, including a screen that can rotate a full 360 degrees.

Price and timing

According to The Information, Apple hopes to release the product in 2027 at roughly $1,000 in the United States, but it may not arrive until 2028. The hardware has reportedly been largely settled for about two years. The delay is said to stem from internal disagreements over which software features belong in a first-generation model and which should wait for a second generation that is already being discussed.

Other robots

The report also says Apple has explored other robotic concepts, including a wheeled model that follows users around, a flying indoor model, and a clothes-folding robot. It is unclear whether any of them will be released.

What to keep in mind

All of this comes from reporting on unreleased prototypes and internal discussions. Apple has not announced or commented on a robotic HomeView, so the name, price and launch window may all change. The standard HomeView, by contrast, is already official, with its launch set for November 13.