Apple is developing a new smart home security camera, internally codenamed J490, as part of its expanding ecosystem. According to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, the device is designed to monitor home environments without recording traditional video footage.
The cylindrical cameras operate at a very low frame rate and utilize AI-powered image sensors to analyze activity. This technology is similar to that being developed for future AirPods with integrated cameras, processing data locally on the device rather than on remote servers.
Instead of storing or streaming video, the system provides text-based descriptions of events occurring within the camera's field of view. The device will also feature facial recognition capabilities to identify individuals entering a room while maintaining user privacy.
This initiative is part of a broader project under the code name J450, which also includes the development of a dedicated smart home control hub. The approach mirrors the existing Activity Detection feature in Apple HomeKit Secure Video, which tracks movement without continuous recording.
