Apple HomeView Max Rumored: 9-Inch 360-Degree Robotic Smart Display Coming 2027 or 2028

Apple's new HomeView smart home hub hasn't even hit shelves yet — and it's already getting a bigger sibling. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is planning a higher-end version of the HomeView with a larger 9-inch screen mounted on a robotic arm that can swivel a full 360 degrees, expected to launch in 2027 or 2028.

The report, published in Gurman's Power On newsletter on October 18, 2026, arrives just days after Apple's "Welcome Home" event introduced the standard HomeView — a $299 smart home hub with a fixed 7-inch square display, Siri AI, FaceTime, music playback, and full smart home controls. If Gurman's track record on Apple hardware holds, the HomeView Max (or whatever Apple ultimately calls it) would be the company's most ambitious home device ever.

What We Know About the HomeView Max

Gurman floated several possible names — HomeView Max, HomeView Ultra, or HomeView 360 — but stressed these are purely speculative. Apple hasn't confirmed the device exists, and the naming is guesswork at this stage. What does appear firmer is the hardware concept: a larger 9-inch display on a robotic arm that rotates a full 360 degrees, letting the screen turn to face you wherever you are in the room.

The robotic-arm concept isn't new for Apple. Gurman has previously reported that Apple has been developing a tabletop robotic device for years, and the idea echoes the company's long-rumored exploration of home robotics — including an iMac G4-style arm design that surfaced in earlier supply-chain reports. The HomeView Max would essentially merge that robotics project with the just-announced HomeView product line.

Timing is the big question. Gurman expects the device to launch in 2027 or 2028 — meaning it's at least a year out, possibly two. Apple is reportedly still working through manufacturing challenges, which will sound familiar to anyone watching the iPhone Duo saga.

Why a Robotic Arm Changes the Math

The standard HomeView has faced a mixed reception from reviewers and the Apple community. The core criticism: what does a fixed 7-inch display add for someone who already owns an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or HomePod? The promotional use cases — setting timers from across the kitchen, typing messages on a counter display — have felt unconvincing to many.

A 360-degree rotating display answers that criticism directly. Instead of walking over to the screen, the screen comes to you — turning to follow you around the kitchen, the office, or the living room. That's the difference between a fixed smart display and something closer to a helpful assistant that stays in your line of sight. It's also exactly the kind of differentiation Apple needs if it wants the HomeView line to stand apart from the Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub, which the standard HomeView most directly competes with.

There are real technical hurdles, though. A motorized rotating display needs to be silent, reliable, and safe around kids and pets. It also needs to justify a price tag that will almost certainly land well above the standard HomeView's $299 — likely in the $499–$699 range or higher, putting it in competition with Apple's own iPad lineup.

What This Means for the HomeView Lineup

If the rumor is accurate, Apple is positioning HomeView as a genuine product family, not a one-off experiment — mirroring how the HomePod line eventually split into the full-size HomePod and the HomePod mini. A two-tier lineup (fixed 7-inch base model, robotic 9-inch premium model) gives Apple coverage at multiple price points and use cases.

The timing also fits a pattern: Apple typically lets a new product category establish itself for a year or two before expanding it. A 2027–2028 launch window gives the standard HomeView time to build an installed base — and gives Apple time to see whether the market actually wants a smart display with a robotic arm before committing to mass production.

For now, the practical takeaway is simple: if you've been eyeing the standard HomeView, the existence of a premium model in the pipeline doesn't change the buy decision much. The HomeView Max is at least a year away and will cost significantly more. But if you're the kind of person who always wants the flagship, it's worth knowing a bigger, rotating version is reportedly on the roadmap.

Related reading: Apple Announces HomeView: Everything About the $299 Smart Home Hub and Apple HomeView Buyer's Guide: Should You Buy It?.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Apple HomeView Max?
A rumored premium version of Apple's HomeView smart home hub with a larger 9-inch display on a robotic arm that swivels 360 degrees, reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

When will the HomeView Max be released?
Gurman expects it to launch in 2027 or 2028. Apple has not confirmed the device or announced any date.

How much will the HomeView Max cost?
No price has been reported. The standard HomeView costs $299, so a larger robotic model would almost certainly cost more.

Is HomeView Max the official name?
No. Gurman floated HomeView Max, HomeView Ultra, and HomeView 360 as speculative names only.

About the Author

Sidra Salman covers smart home technology, gadgets, and Apple devices. She breaks down new hardware launches into practical buying advice for everyday homes.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How to Automate Your Morning Routine with Smart Devices

Image
I used to dread mornings. Not the day itself, but the first twenty minutes: a blaring alarm, a cold bedroom, and the eternal wait for coffee to brew. Last year I fixed it with a handful of smart devices I set up over one weekend. Now my mornings practically run themselves. Here's how to automate your morning routine step by step — you only need four things: gentle light, fresh coffee, a quick briefing, and a comfortable temperature, all triggered without lifting a finger. Works on Alexa or Google Home, and even if you're renting. The Automated Morning Blueprint Every good morning setup I've tested follows the same four-beat rhythm, staggered over 20 to 30 minutes before your alarm: Beat 1 — Wake light (30 min before alarm): Your bedroom light slowly fades from dim amber to soft white, mimicking sunrise. It's a genuinely gentler way to wake up than a screaming phone. Beat 2 — Coffee (at alarm time): The coffee maker starts brewing on its own. You walk into the ...
Read more

Best Smart Smoke and CO Detectors 2026

Image
Here's a sobering number: according to the National Fire Protection Association, the death rate in reported home fires drops by roughly 60% when working smoke alarms are present. And the CDC reports that at least 430 Americans die every year from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning — a gas you can't see, smell, or taste. A good smoke and CO detector is the single highest-value device you can put in your home. But here's what surprised me when I dug into the 2026 lineup: the difference between a $20 detector and a $119 smart one isn't marketing fluff. Spoken room-by-room alerts, phone notifications when you're away, and wireless interconnect (one alarm sounds, they all sound) are genuinely life-saving features. This guide compares the best smart smoke and CO detectors you can buy in 2026, explains which power setup fits your home, and shows you exactly where to put them. What Makes a Detector "Smart" A traditional det...
Read more

Best Smart Locks 2026: Tested Picks for Every Door

Image
A year ago I was still digging through my bag for keys while balancing groceries. Now my front door opens when my fingerprint touches the keypad, locks itself when I leave, and texts my phone when the kids get home from school. If you're done with keys too, this guide walks you through the best smart locks of 2026 — the five models I'd actually buy, ranked by what they do best. Here's the short version: Schlage Encode Plus is the best overall smart lock for most homes (~$279–$330). The Yale Assure Lock 2 (~$200–$280) is the most flexible. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (~$199–$250) is the renter's pick. ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro WiFi (~$170) wins on fingerprint, and the Eufy Smart Lock C220 (under $150) is the budget steal. How I Ranked These Locks Before the picks: a smart lock is still a lock — it has to survive someone yanking the handle. So I check the BHMA/ANSI grade first. Grade 1 is commercial-level; Grade 2 is solid residential. Then entry methods (keypad, fingerpri...
Read more