Apple Reportedly Developing Innovative Smart Monitor
Apple Inc. is reportedly working on a new external monitor for Macs, aiming to deliver a device that not only enhances user experience but also serves a dual purpose as a smart home display when idle. The news was first reported by Mark Gurman, a Bloomberg reporter, in his latest Power On newsletter.
This development appears to be an evolutionary leap in monitor technology, leveraging the power of an onboard iOS chip to add smart features to the device when it’s not in use. This would not be the first time Apple has incorporated its silicon in an external display. The tech giant’s existing 27-inch Studio Display includes a dedicated A13 chip, although its functionality is primarily focused on handling the camera and speaker features such as Center Stage and spatial audio when the display is active.
The new smart display seems to be more ambitious, potentially transforming into a smart home device in an idle low-power mode. This unique feature could revolutionize the way users interact with their devices, providing a seamless blend of professional and personal use scenarios. Furthermore, Apple is thought to be developing multiple new monitor offerings, some of which could be direct successors to its Studio Display and Pro Display XDR.
Some speculate that the recently introduced Standby feature in iOS 17 could be a preview of the technology that will be integrated into the new monitor. This feature turns a charging iPhone into a home hub with full-screen widgets when placed in a horizontal orientation, a functionality that could easily be adapted to a dedicated hardware device such as a monitor.
However, eager customers will need to be patient. Gurman does not anticipate a release until 2024 “at the earliest” for this innovative smart monitor.
