India, May 27 -- While the iPhone 17 series, including the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, is expected to dominate headlines later this year, Apple is also preparing to launch a new smart home device aimed at challenging Amazon and Google's dominance in the space.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is working on a smart home hub, codenamed J490, featuring a 7-inch display with a square iPad-like design. The device will include a front-facing camera, internal speakers, and potentially a built-in battery, allowing for flexible placement around the home.

The smart hub will reportedly support Apple Intelligence, the company's AI system designed to power next-generation contextual interactions across devices. It will allow users to contro...