It's no secret and no surprise that Apple's smart home platform lags far behind both Amazon and Google; far fewer products work with HomeKit, and those that do tend to be more expensive than those that work with Alexa or Google Assistant. They tend to be more expensive.

But Apple appears to be closing the gap, starting with a smart display that will challenge the Amazon Echo Show family and Google Nest Hub Max. According to a Bloomberg report (opens in new tab), this iPad-like device would allow control of smart home devices, video playback, and FaceTime calls. The device could be mounted on a wall or elsewhere. Apple may also be considering launching a new Apple TV device, which could appear in 2024.

This news comes a day after Apple announced the HomePod (2nd generation), which looks similar to the original but has improved audio capabilities, Matter support, and built-in temperature and humidity sensors (just to name a few). At $299, it is priced higher than other smart speakers, making it a harder sell to those not invested in Apple's ecosystem.

The sooner Apple gets this out, the better, now that Matter is rolling out and perhaps HomeKit will be opened up to far more smart home products, to roll out a display more tailored to the smart home than what Amazon and Google offer. There has never been a more opportune time.

The Amazon Echo Show 15 is the closest thing to a true smart home display, as it has widgets that allow you to control smart home devices and view video from your home security cameras. (It has been updated to work as a Fire TV, which is great). ) However, the smart home controls feel a bit squeezed into one small panel.

In truth, it would be nice to repurpose the old iPad and put the HomeKit app front and center, but Apple probably has something better in mind. [But I'm not so sure, because Google's new Google Pixel tablet, which Google teased last year, may be the new smart display to beat. . With Google promising greater smart home capabilities in the near future, Apple had better hurry if it wants to gain ground.