Move over, Alexa—
Apple is reportedly gearing up to launch an AI-powered smart home display as soon as March 2025, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The device dubbed the “command center,” is set to shake up the smart home hub market with its unique features and Apple’s signature touch.
A New Player in the Smart Home Game
Measuring approximately six inches, the display resembles an iPad but with a twist: it’s square and sports thick bezels. A front-facing camera at the top enables FaceTime calls, while internal
speakers promise decent audio for your impromptu kitchen dance parties. And yes, it comes with a built-in rechargeable battery—because who likes being tethered to an outlet?
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An Interface That Feels Familiar
The operating system is said to be a mashup of the iPhone’s StandBy mode and watchOS, primarily controlled by voice commands. Apple plans to integrate Apple Intelligence, allowing users to access apps and control smart home products seamlessly. The interface is designed around App Intents, a
Siri system capable of controlling apps and tasks—a nod to Apple’s emphasis on user experience.
Customization and Control at Your Fingertips
Users can customize the home screen with widgets displaying weather updates, upcoming appointments, photo slideshows, or crucial home controls. A software-based dock will be available for launching apps, and multiple devices in different rooms can function as intercoms. Security is also a focus, with alerts and camera footage from connected smart home cameras readily accessible.
Sensors That Know You Better
Built-in sensors can detect how close you are to the device, adjusting features accordingly. For instance, when no one is nearby, it might display the temperature. As someone approaches, it could switch to an interface for adjusting the thermostat—much like how Nest thermostats operate. External sensors plugging into outlets throughout the home might also be in the works, though it’s unclear if Apple will produce these.
Positioning Against the Competition
With this smart display, Apple aims to compete head-on with Amazon’s Echo Hub and Google’s Nest Hub Max. To make a dent in the market, Apple will likely need to price its device competitively. The Echo Hub costs $150, while the Nest Hub Max is priced at $230. Apple’s entry into smart home could spice things up for consumers seeking integrated solutions.
Looking Ahead: A Robotic Future?
Interestingly, Apple is also reportedly working on a robotic version of the smart home hub that can move the screen around. While that’s a futuristic vision, for now, the focus is on making the command centre a success. CEO Tim Cook has been pushing the engineering and design teams to prioritize this device, which has been in development for over three years.
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A Cautious Step Forward
While Apple has considered creating its line of smart home accessories like an indoor security camera, it’s not clear if the company will venture down that path just yet. However, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo mentioned that Apple is working on a smart home camera with wireless connectivity and deep integration with Apple Intelligence, potentially launching in 2026.
Apple’s foray into the smart home hub market is both exciting and overdue. With its focus on user experience and integration across devices, the command centre could be a game-changer—if priced right. It remains to be seen how Apple will differentiate itself in a space dominated by Amazon and Google, but one thing’s for sure: the smart home market just got a lot more interesting.
While the company remains tight-lipped about the project, the patent indicates that Samsung is focusing on perfecting the tri-fold design rather than rushing to be first to market. This marks a shift from its pioneering role with the original Galaxy Fold, suggesting a new strategy that prioritizes functionality and quality.
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Following in Huawei’s Footsteps
The design outlined in the patent bears a resemblance to the Huawei Mate XT. Samsung’s tri-fold appears to follow a similar Z-shaped folding mechanism, which allows the device to transform into a larger tablet-like display when unfolded. The Mate XT features a 10.2-inch 3K display and folds into a thin 12.8mm profile when closed by folding one side inward and the other outward. However, this design introduces a noticeable crease over time—a challenge Samsung may need to address.
Engineering Challenges Ahead
Creating a reliable tri-fold smartphone is no small feat. The folding mechanism must be durable enough to withstand daily use while maintaining a sleek profile. Samsung’s patent suggests the company is working on innovations to minimize creasing and enhance user experience. It’s a delicate balance between form and function, and all eyes will be on Samsung to see how it tackles these engineering hurdles.
What to Expect Under the Hood
Samsung has a history of equipping its foldable devices with the latest Snapdragon flagship chips. Given the potential for multitasking on a larger screen, the upcoming tri-fold could also boast top-of-the-line hardware. While details are scarce, it’s reasonable to speculate that the device will offer powerful performance to handle its versatile form factor.
A Glimpse into the Future
While there’s no official word on when Samsung might introduce its tri-fold smartphone, the patent approval certainly fuels excitement. It underscores the company’s commitment to innovation in the foldable segment, a market still in its infancy but ripe with potential. In the meantime, tech enthusiasts can keep an eye on leaked renders of the next flagship, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, for hints about Samsung’s design direction.
Read Also: Apple is planning to launch a foldable iPhone: Report
Samsung’s foray into tri-fold smartphones could be a game-changer if executed well. The key will be overcoming the engineering challenges that have plagued similar designs, such as creasing and durability. If Samsung can deliver a device that combines innovation with practicality, it might just set a new standard in the industry. 
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Depending on the latching mechanism, dust and grime collection can hamper the functioning of your laptop’s screen. Dirt particles can find their way into deep crevices and create all sorts of unexpected issues. Give your laptop a thorough wipe to resolve this problem. Routinely cleaning the laptop with a dry microfibre cloth is highly encouraged.
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“Last year, we tested the waters with a smoky translucent edition in North America, and the response was overwhelmingly positive,” said Valve’s communications chief, Kaci Aitchison Boyle. “This time, we’re excited to offer the Limited Edition White to all regions where the Steam Deck is available. We’re eager to see how gamers embrace this new look.”
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Looking ahead, Valve hinted at the possibility of more colour variants in the future. “We’re using this release to inform our decisions about potential new colour variants down the line,” Boyle added. While a full-fledged Steam Deck 2 might not be on the immediate horizon, these new editions keep the excitement alive.
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But don’t let the fancy metal grate fool you; it’s more than just a vent. Wired to the motherboard, it doubles as an antenna for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Beneath it lies the cooling system—a centrifugal fan paired with an arced heatsink and a single heat pipe. It’s a minimalist approach, but given the efficiency of the M4 chip, it seems adequate. Nestled in the corner is the solitary speaker, reminding us that the Mac Mini isn’t exactly built for audiophiles.
Digging deeper, we reach the motherboard and the much-anticipated SSD. At first glance, it looks like a standard M.2 2230 SSD. However, Apple wouldn’t be Apple without adding its own twist—a different pin count and a custom SSD controller that’s nowhere to be found in off-the-shelf components. So, if you were dreaming of a simple storage upgrade, think again. While some daring souls have tried soldering higher-capacity memory modules onto Apple’s SSD with success, it’s not a path for the faint-hearted. For most users, an external SSD remains the most practical solution for additional storage.
Continuing the teardown, we encounter the internal power supply—a feature that sets the Mac Mini apart from other micro PCs that rely on external bricks. Positioned at the top of the system (when right-side up), it likely uses the aluminium shell to dissipate heat, as it doesn’t benefit from direct airflow from the fan.
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Finally, we arrive at the heatsink covering the M4 chip. It’s modest in size, but given the chip’s efficiency, it’s more about sustaining peak performance under heavy loads than basic cooling. The fanless MacBook Air models could take a lesson here, as they often throttle under prolonged strain.
In conclusion, the Mac Mini 2024 remains true to Apple’s ethos of sealed systems. If you’re in the market for this compact desktop, it’s wise to configure it to your needs upfront. Upgrading internal components post-purchase is, for all practical purposes, off the table. While it’s a marvel of engineering and design, the lack of user-upgradable parts is a letdown for those who like to get their hands dirty. 
