January 2022 • Macworld 53CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s recent at-
best lacklustre, at-worst eye-roll-
inducing concept videos.
GOING HOME
Apple’s had a challenging couple
of years in the home space. It’s
discontinued its full-size HomePod
in favour of the smaller HomePod
mini, and while it’s ramped up support
for the upcoming Matter initiative
that aims to interconnect smart
home devices across manufacturers,
that really won’t kick off in earnest
until next year.
But word of a ‘homeOS’ project
reared its head once again this
month, after a mention in an Apple
job posting. The term had cropped
up ahead of 2021’s Worldwide
Developers Conference, but nothing
more was heard of it until now. It could
suggest a more in-depth investment
in smart home tech for Apple, and,
combined with a recent hire to
oversee HomePod software might
mean the company is reinvigorating
development in that area.
My biggest hope for homeOS
is the rumoured living room device
that would combine elements of the
HomePod with the Apple TV and a
FaceTime video conferencing device.
Chatting with friends, family and
colleagues over the internet has
become even more prevalent during
the pandemic, and crowding around
an iPad or a MacBook has made the
experience cramped and sometimes
unpleasant. A device that integrates
with your Apple TV to provide a more
welcoming group chatting experience
could be a big winner, and might
cement Apple’s place in the home.