With Tim Cook officially stepping down and John Ternus taking over on September 1, 2026, Apple is entering one of its most important transitions in years. Alongside this, a report from Mark Gurman reveals that Apple is working on six new product categories.
From AI-powered AirPods to smart home devices and entirely new hardware concepts, these products are built around Apple Intelligence and signal a broader expansion of Apple’s ecosystem.
The six new product categories Apple is exploring
According to the report, Apple is exploring multiple hardware categories beyond its regular updates to iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
- AirPods With Apple Intelligence: Apple is expected to integrate Apple Intelligence into AirPods, enabling features such as real-time translation, improved Siri interactions, and context-aware assistance. This would position AirPods as a more active interface for AI-driven tasks.
- AI Pendant: An AI-powered pendant is also in development. The device is expected to function as a wearable assistant that stays accessible at all times through voice. Products in this category have struggled so far, but Apple appears to be testing how a more tightly integrated version could fit into its ecosystem.
- Security Camera: A home security camera is part of Apple’s broader push into the smart home. It would tie into HomeKit and lean on on-device processing for features like alerts and detection. Mentions of such a device have already appeared in iOS 26 code.
- Smart Display: A smart display is one of the more developed products in the pipeline. Apple is said to be building a device that combines elements of the iPad and HomePod, allowing users to control smart home accessories, manage calls, and access AI features from a single screen. Current reports suggest this could be the first of the new categories to reach the market.
- Smart Glasses: Apple is also continuing work on smart glasses. Unlike the Apple Vision Pro, these are expected to be lightweight and designed for everyday use. The product remains in development and is likely a longer-term project.
- Tabletop Robot: Apple is also exploring a tabletop robot. There’s very little detail around what it will do or when it could launch, but the idea suggests a more interactive kind of home device. For now, it remains an early-stage project.
Launch timeline and availability
Apple has not announced official timelines for most of these products. Current reports indicate that the smart display could arrive first, with a potential launch window in late 2026. The remaining categories are expected to follow over a longer period.
Do you see any of these becoming Apple’s next big product? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
