Apple may unveil a new operating system at the WWDC21, its upcoming developer conference, with an Apple Music job ad referencing the previously unannounced software twice.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS:
- An Apple ad references something called “homeOS”.
- This could be a new operating system from Apple.
- It could also represent a rebranding of HomeKit.
- We may find out soon enough at the WWDC21 next week.
homeOS could be a new OS from Apple
Developer Javier Lacort spotted some new job ads seeking “stellar software engineers” to join the Apple Music team.” As evidenced by the screenshots that Lacort shared on Twitter, one of the listings is for a “Senior iOS Engineer – Apple Music,” based in Cupertino, and it was published by Apple on the company’s own Apple Jobs website on May 25, 2021.
The job ad references something called “homeOS.”
You’ll get to work with system engineers across Apple, learning the inner-workings of iOS, watchOS, tvOS and homeOS, and optimizing your code for performance in ways only Apple can. Come join our team and make a real difference for music lovers worldwide.
Note that “homeOS” is mentioned alongside Apple’s existing software platforms like iOS, watchOS and tvOS. Could this simply be an error on Apple’s part?
The Apple Music Frameworks team owns the technology stack that enables the system-integrated Apple Music experience on all of our mobile platforms: iOS, watchOS and homeOS.
Mentioning “homeOS” on two occasions in a single job posting isn’t a mistake.
homeOS could be rebranded HomeKit
As AppleInsider notes, this doesn’t necessarily mean Apple is building an entirely new operating system for smart home devices—that’s what its HomeKit software was designed for. That being said, however, it’s also possible that Apple could be looking to rebrand HomeKit.
And it wouldn’t be unusual.
Apple at the WWDC 19 unveiled iPadOS, an iOS branch optimized for its tablet lineup. Prior to that, Apple changed the OS X name to macOS to better align with its existing OS names.
At any rate, that’s hardly the first time “homeOS” was mentioned as the potential name for a smart home platform from Apple—before HomeKit made its debut in 2014, for instance, some sources bet Apple’s smart home technology would be called homeOS.
On top of that, Microsoft HomeOS has been available since 2010.
When may Apple announce homeOS?
Apple is holding WWDC, its annual five-day conference for developers next week. If there’s such a thing as “homeOS” being developed at Apple, the online-only event could mark the perfect opportunity for Apple to introduce its army of developers to a new software platform.
WWDC kicks off with a prerecorded keynote talk on June 7 at 10am PT, 1pm ET.