Gurman: Apple's Long-Delayed 'J490' Home Hub Runs a Siri-AI-Centric OS, Now in Employee Testing

Mark Gurman's Sept 20 Power On newsletter details Apple's upcoming smart-home hub, codenamed J490: a square-ish 7-inch display on a half-HomePod-mini stand (or magnetic wall mount) running an operating system built around Siri AI, with facial recognition personalization and no Face ID depth sensor. Apple is testing units in employees' homes and pitching the device as an 'intelligent personal hub' for the home, targeting a release between October and early 2027. Same newsletter reports Apple has begun cutting Fitness+ staff as it reassesses the service.