- Apple’s much-anticipated Smart Home Hub—expected later in 2025—is now delayed until 2026, primarily due to setbacks with Siri development Reddit+15Tom’s Guide+15Tom’s Guide+15.
- The hub was designed to rely on advanced Siri features, including contextual understanding of personal data and full App Intents integration—critical for seamless voice control and smart-device automation—but these won’t be ready until 2026 9to5Mac+3Tom’s Guide+3TUAW+3.
- Early rumors suggest the device will include:
- A 7-inch square display with thick bezels
- A front-facing camera for FaceTime and video interaction
- A portable form factor with built-in battery
- An entirely new operating system dubbed homeOS
- Integration across Apple apps, Desk StandBy‑style dashboard, and Apple Intelligence support Cinco Días+3Tom’s Guide+39to5Mac+3Cinco Días+49to5Mac+4The Sun+4.
- While a basic smart display could theoretically launch sooner, Apple is reportedly holding back such a release to avoid delivering a device with limited AI capability—ensuring competitive parity with Amazon Echo and Google Nest products HomeKit Authority+11Tom’s Guide+11The Verge+11.
- Despite the delay, Apple is conducting internal testing, with employees reportedly using the hardware in real-home settings to gather feedback TechCrunch.
📌 Key Details at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Original Launch | Targeted for 2025 |
| New Launch Window | Now expected in 2026, aligned with Siri AI upgrade |
| Core Delay Reason | Siri’s contextual intelligence and App Intents delays |
| Planned Features | 7″ display, camera, battery, homeOS, Apple Intelligence |
| Internal Testing | Ongoing with select Apple staff for real-world feedback |
💡 Why This Delay Matters
- Siri’s limitations are holding the project back
Apple’s voice assistant has not reached the level of contextual intelligence needed to power the hub as intended. Fundamental features such as deep app control and account-based responses remain unfinished despite initial expectations 9to5MacTechCrunch+6The Verge+6AppleInsider+6Reddit+15MacRumors+15Tom’s Guide+15Reddit+9Tom’s Guide+99to5Mac+9The Sun+2Tom’s Guide+29to5Mac+2. - Competitors are moving ahead
Smart hubs from Amazon and Google have entered the market with advanced AI capabilities. Launching a display without Apple’s promised improvements would put Apple at a disadvantage Reddit+12The Verge+12Tom’s Guide+12. - A broader AI strategy is at stake
Apple is tying the device’s rollout to its broader Apple Intelligence initiative—and wants to ensure the assistant is feature-complete before releasing the hardware MacworldThe Verge+1Tom’s Guide+1.
🗣️ Community Insight & Comments
Reddit users followed the updates closely:
“Apple is developing a device code-named J490 with an iPad-like screen… [but] because it relies on the delayed Siri capabilities, it has been postponed.” Reddit+1The Verge+1
Some express doubts over Siri’s readiness:
“On the one hand, Apple’s HomePod line desperately needs an updated Siri… Give me Echo Show 15 in the Apple ecosystem…” Reddit
✅ TL, DR
Apple’s first dedicated Smart Home Hub—featuring a 7-inch display, camera, homeOS, and seamless AI-based control—is now delayed until 2026, as critical Siri features (including contextual understanding and App Intents) are not expected to be ready in 2025. Apple is reportedly continuing testing internally, but will wait until its voice assistant is fully capable before a public launch.
Would you like to explore potential alternatives (e.g. Amazon Echo Show, Google Nest Hub) or keep tabs on announcements around WWDC 2025 for developer insights into the Siri overhaul?
