This product is said to be part of Apple's strategy to advance in the smart home arena, where it has traditionally lagged behind Google and Amazon. Bloomberg reports that CEO Tim Cook has prioritized the development of this display as part of a broader push to strengthen Apple's presence in smart home technology.

The iPad-like device, which will reportedly be available as soon as next March, has a six-inch display with thick edges, a built-in camera, a rechargeable battery, and speakers, according to Gurman. The plan is to have Siri and Apple Intelligence voice control support as well.

Apple Inc., aiming to catch up with rivals in the smart home market, is nearing the launch of a new product category: a wall-mounted display that can control appliances, handle videoconferencing, and use AI to navigate apps.