One of the operating systems that particularly surprised everyone by evolving an element that is already common in other systems, such as widgets, is VisionOS. In Apple’s Vision Pro, they literally take on a new dimension, as they can be adapted to fit into their environment, taking on a customizable “three-dimensional” form. This could give us an indirect sign that those in Cupertino are preparing the ground for one of the systems that were rumored at the time, which recently showed signs of registration in some countries, and which will soon be present in a new product such as the HomePad.
VisionOS also has the essence of what the future HomePad could have in the home
If Apple users are already accustomed to mostly native and some third-party widgets on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, they might be surprised by what VisionOS can now bring to the table from a new, three-dimensional perspective. The fact that they can be present in virtual space, while also remembering where they’ve been positioned once the Apple Watch is removed, indicates the relevance they’ll have from now on across all Apple systems and hints at what’s to come with homeOS.
The fact that they’re present in a space like the home gives us clues as to how they can serve us in a dedicated product like the HomePad. Interestingly, iPadOS will no longer behave with full-screen apps at the user’s discretion, which could lead to this system being the necessary foundation for homeOS to emerge. The HomePad would be a device that could be mounted on a wall or stand as a device with a base that allows any smart device to be controlled.
Other products that have been on the market for several years have already shown the main guidelines for controlling the home. Apple will have to convince users that its HomePad is better and intends to do so through widgets, although in a more adaptable way than viewing them in a spatial widget.
The HomePad should have a special and unique design
What leaves us most puzzled about the HomePad being a standout product is its design. Ideally, it would be a bit different from the competition, taking as a reference one of the most popular products like the Amazon Echo Show, or as if it were an iPad forced into a base. The iPad has been used in so many ways, now that it will be a different product thanks to iPadOS 26, it would be a good thing for Apple to think about the HomePad’s design as well as moving away from what the iPad once was.
The HomePad would have to do something the iPad can’t. In this case, it would have to have dedicated home features based on Apple’s operating systems, but with a distinctive touch that sets it apart from other products. Will Apple succeed in launching the HomePad in a way that makes it a compelling home product?
