Looks like Apple is gearing up for an exciting WWDC 2025, and the big buzz is about a new smart home operating system called homeOS. The recent trademark filing under a shell company strongly hints the announcement could be imminent—possibly as soon as next week.
Here’s the scoop:
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The trademark homeOS was quietly registered in April, linked back to Apple through legal addresses and shell company tactics they’ve used before to keep future projects secret.
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It covers both software products and software services, which fits perfectly for an OS meant to unify and power Apple’s smart home devices.
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Rumors are swirling about a new smart home device, possibly named HomePad, which might be a smart speaker with a screen. This wouldn’t be Apple’s first time unveiling smart home hardware at WWDC—the original HomePod launched there in 2017, and Vision Pro made its debut two years ago.
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Even if the HomePad hardware isn’t ready yet, Apple could still introduce homeOS as a standalone software platform, potentially rebranding or expanding what currently powers HomePod and Apple TV.
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Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported Apple is working on two smart home displays: a simpler 7-inch model (codenamed J490) and a premium version with a robotic arm (J595). The simpler model might come out later this year and could be the first device running homeOS.
WWDC 2025 itself is expected to bring more design refinements and smaller but meaningful upgrades rather than sweeping new features. Apple’s internal redesign project, called Solarium, is said to unify the look across iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS, inspired by the visionOS from Vision Pro. Think rounded icons, translucent backgrounds, and smoother animations.
Other possible updates include:
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Smarter battery management tools
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Easier Wi-Fi sharing
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A new desktop mode letting iPhones act like computers when plugged in via USB-C
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A new cross-platform gaming app built on Game Center
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Enhanced developer tools integrating Apple Intelligence AI capabilities
While major new hardware isn’t strongly confirmed, Apple could still surprise us with teasers for a new Mac Pro or even the iPhone 17 Air.
In short, homeOS might mark Apple’s biggest step yet into smart home integration, creating a seamless ecosystem for future devices and services. WWDC 2025 looks set to be a blend of polished software evolution and a possible glimpse at Apple’s next smart home ambitions.
