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Apple's Home Hub Borrows From the iPhone Duo's StandBy Mode

Apple's rumored smart home hub will have different faces users can choose from, some of which are similar to StandBy screens planned for the iPhone Duo. Leaker pdfu shared setup screens of the Photo Face said to be for Apple's upcoming home product.

home hub photos face
Based on the images, users can select from different photo collections, memories, or shared albums for the Photo Face, and those photos will be shown on the device's display. Photos are pulled from iCloud, so iCloud Photos needs to be turned on for it to work. Users will be prompted to set up the Photo Face when activating the device.

Pdfu says the Photo Face for the hub is the same as the Photo Face coming to the ‌iPhone Duo‌, and that could explain why Apple hasn't made the ‌iPhone Duo‌'s StandBy mode available in the Xcode simulator yet.

This is the first visual of a home hub face we've seen. The hub is expected to have a 6-inch screen, and it will look similar to an iPad except for the square shape and the base. The hub is rumored to have an iMac G4-like half-dome metal base that connects to the display with an arm.

Prior rumors have said the home hub won't have a full App Store, but it will support apps and widgets like Calendar, Weather, Music, Messages, Reminders, and more. The device will be able to tell when someone is approaching it, and can distinguish between people in the home to show different widgets for each user. It makes sense for the hub to display a StandBy-like interface when it is not in active use.

There will be multiple idle display options to choose from, just like there are now when using the iPhone in StandBy mode. Earlier today, Bloomberg said the home hub interface is "built heavily" around clock displays and photo slideshows, so the Photo Face will likely be an integral part of the device's software.

The home hub is rumored to be debuting on October 13.

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Top Rated Comments

firstcitazen Avatar
23 hours ago at 04:15 pm
I've been using HomeKit for years, but Apple needs to up their game for me to buy another product with such sparse integrations across the industry. Still hoping for the best though!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
1 day ago at 04:05 pm
I wanted to want this but I truly just don't see the purpose.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
goobot Avatar
23 hours ago at 04:14 pm
Apple’s lack of cohesive multi-user support across their line up will be the death of this thing. Just look at Apple TV.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
1 day ago at 04:07 pm

Apple's rumored smart home hub will have different faces users can choose from, some of which are similar to StandBy screens planned for the iPhone Duo. Leaker pdfu shared setup screens ('https://x.com/itspdfu/status/2105418868391023008?s=20') of the Photo Face said to be for Apple's upcoming home product.

home hub photo face image


Based on the images, users can select from different photo collections, memories, or shared albums for the Photo Face, and those photos will be shown on the device's display. Photos are pulled from iCloud, so iCloud Photos needs to be turned on for it to work. Users will be prompted to set up the Photo Face when activating the device.

Pdfu says the Photo Face for the hub is the same as the Photo Face coming to the iPhone Duo, and that could explain why Apple hasn't made the iPhone Duo's StandBy mode available in the Xcode simulator yet.

This is the first visual of a home hub face we've seen. The hub is expected to have a 6-inch screen, and it will look similar to an iPad except for the square shape and the base. The hub is rumored to have an iMac G4-like half-dome metal base that connects to the display with an arm.

Prior rumors have said the home hub won't have a full App Store, but it will support apps and widgets like Calendar, Weather, Music, Messages, Reminders, and more. The device will be able to tell when someone is approaching it, and can distinguish between people in the home to show different widgets for each user. It makes sense for the hub to display a StandBy-like interface when it is not in active use.

There will be multiple idle display options to choose from, just like there are now when using the iPhone in StandBy mode. Earlier today ('https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/30/apple-home-hub-imac-g4-style-design/'), Bloomberg said the home hub interface is "built heavily" around clock displays and photo slideshows, so the Photo Face will likely be an integral part of the device's software.

The home hub is rumored to be debuting on October 13 ('https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/30/apple-home-products-coming-on-october-13/').

Article Link: Apple's Home Hub Borrows From the iPhone Duo's StandBy Mode ('https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/30/home-hub-photo-face/')
I'm sure it will be reasonably priced like all of the other new Apple products.....
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pdfu Avatar
20 hours ago at 08:08 pm



Why are they standing in front of 9/11?
9:41 is Apple’s standard time they use in presentations. It will actually show your current time when you set up the device. The setup is pretty much identical to a HomePod with this extra step.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
23 hours ago at 04:34 pm
Don't know how accurate switching users and showing specific user content without FaceID will be. Waiting to see the device.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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