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

Apple's upcoming smart home hub, rumored to be unveiled on October 13, may borrow design elements from the iPhone Duo's standby mode. Leaker pdfu shared setup screens of the Photo Face, a feature that will allow users to select from various photo collections, memories, or shared albums displayed on the hub's screen. These photos are sourced from iCloud, requiring the iCloud Photos feature to be enabled.

When activating the device, users will be guided through setting up the Photo Face. This feature bears resemblance to the Photo Face planned for the iPhone Duo, which may be why Apple has yet to make the iPhone Duo's standby mode available in the Xcode simulator. The hub is expected to feature a 6-inch screen, resembling an iPad but with a square shape and a base similar to an iMac G4.

Although rumors suggest the home hub will not have a full App Store, it will support apps and widgets like Calendar, Weather, Music, Messages, and Reminders. The hub will be capable of detecting when someone approaches it and can differentiate between individuals within the home, displaying different widgets for each user. This behavior aligns with the current trend of displaying standby-like interfaces when devices are not in active use.

Similar to the iPhone's standby mode, the home hub will offer multiple idle display options. The hub's software is reportedly built around clock displays and photo slideshows, suggesting the Photo Face will play a significant role in its functionality.