Apple sets course for AI revival with tabletop robot, human-like Siri, and additional enhancements, according to sources.
Apple Prepares for AI Revolution with Innovative Product Lineup
Apple is gearing up for a significant shift in technology, with plans to launch a variety of AI-focused products between late 2025 and 2027. These groundbreaking innovations, set to redefine entire product categories, include the tabletop robot, smart display, and smart home cameras [1].
The centrepiece of Apple's strategy is a tabletop robot, expected to debut in 2027. This iPad-like device, mounted on a robotic arm, will act as a virtual companion, capable of humanlike interaction such as turning towards people who speak or summon it, and attempting to engage those not facing it [1]. The new, much more lifelike version of Siri will power this device, allowing it to participate actively in multi-person conversations and maintain contextual awareness throughout the day [1].
Apple's next-generation Siri, internally called Linwood, is at the heart of these new products. Powered by large language models (LLMs), this upgraded Siri will have a "lifelike feel" and visual personality, potentially nicknamed the “Pixar Lamp.” Siri will be repositioned as a virtual companion, capable of engaging users more naturally and maintaining conversational context across multiple interactions throughout the day [1].
The smart display, planned for release as early as mid-2026, will handle tasks like home control, music playback, note-taking, and video calls. It will also feature an integrated display designed to deeply integrate into the Apple ecosystem, offering a visual personality and lifelike presence as part of the new Siri experience [1].
In addition to the tabletop robot and smart display, Apple will introduce battery-powered home security cameras. These devices, designed with privacy-focused AI capabilities, could compete directly with existing Ring or Nest cameras, emphasizing on-device intelligence and integration with the broader Apple ecosystem [4].
Apple is also developing smart cameras with facial recognition and automation features. These cameras, expected to last from several months to a year on a single charge, will offer smart home solutions like turning off lights when a room is empty or playing music for a specific family member [4].
To support its AI ecosystem, Apple is carefully managing integration with cloud services like ChatGPT for enterprise uses, demonstrating how AI is now deeply embedded in Apple's software platform via "Apple Intelligence," which handles AI queries when Apple's own cloud services do not [3].
The tabletop robot and smart display will operate on a new operating system called Charismatic, designed for multiple users. This OS will enable these devices to interact naturally with various family members, providing a personalized experience for each user [1].
Apple's push into artificial intelligence is a response to pressure to innovate in the AI race. The company is not limiting its new product lineup to the tabletop robot and smart display, as other initiatives are in development [5]. In fact, Apple plans to launch a more affordable smart display by mid-2026, further expanding its AI-driven product offerings [5].
As Apple prepares for this AI-driven future, it's clear that the company is aiming for secure, personalized experiences that deeply tie into its ecosystem, blending hardware innovations with advanced AI capabilities [1][4][5].
The centrepiece of Apple's upcoming AI-focused product lineup, intended for release in 2027, is a tabletop robot powered by Apple's next-generation Siri, internally called Linwood, which houses large language models (LLMs) and aims to provide a more natural, contextually aware virtual companion experience.
In addition to the tabletop robot, Apple is also developing a smart display for release as early as mid-2026, integrated with LLM-powered Siri, capable of handling various tasks, and featuring a visual personality as part of the new Siri experience.
