The new smart home display will apparently be small. Gurman writes that it will have a square display angled over a small base, making it “reminiscent of the round bottom of the iMac G4 from a few decades ago.” It may have speakers, essentially making it the HomePod with a screen, which is rumored to be one of Apple's possible smart home futures.
Gurman didn't say how much this device might cost, but has previously hinted at an “affordable” smart home device with a square display. Rumors suggest that Apple will release a $1,000 model with a robotic arm that moves the display, but that's not expected until 2026 at the earliest, he reiterates today. Both devices are expected to run customized versions of some Apple apps like FaceTime, Calendar and Notes and work with Apple Intelligence, which Apple's current smart home devices don't support.
I can say that I like the look of the iMac G4 (after all, I use one as an external display). And the idea that the rumored robotic display could look like this is attractive, especially given early Apple advertising that had the iMac G4 moving like the Pixar lamp. What if Apple releases an adorable little smart home version of the iMac G4 — robotic or not — that I can put on my countertop to use for timers or YouTube videos while I cook dinner? It will be very difficult for me to say no to this.