Apple's long-rumoured Smart Home Hub delayed until 2026 amid Siri overhaul: Mark Gurman
The product, internally referred to as J490, is believed to resemble a hybrid between a HomePod and a small touchscreen display. It has been under development for some time and is expected to feature a 6- to 7-inch screen, possibly square in shape. It may also include mounting options for walls and a detachable speaker base for flexible use in different domestic settings.
At the heart of the delay is Apple's dependence on its upcoming AI-powered Siri upgrade. The new voice assistant is expected to leverage 'Apple Intelligence' and an expanded App Intents framework, which would allow Siri to offer more context-aware, on-device responses and improved control over third-party apps. These capabilities were initially tied to the rollout of iOS 18.4, which itself has been delayed, pushing back the launch of the hardware.
Gurman notes that the smart hub's features are heavily reliant on these AI advancements. Without the necessary software infrastructure, Apple has reportedly opted to postpone both the hardware and its integrated features. A prior internal target of March 2025 has now been scrapped, with 2026 seen as a more realistic launch window.
Beyond serving as a hub for smart home automation, the device is expected to support FaceTime video calls, display interactive widgets, and potentially integrate with a new Apple-designed home security camera. References to such a device have recently been discovered in the iOS 18.6 developer beta, pointing to a screen resolution consistent with that of the iPad mini, reinforcing existing speculation about its size and display capabilities.
Earlier this year, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had predicted the hub would enter mass production by the third quarter of 2025. However, that timeline now appears uncertain given the delays in software readiness. Meanwhile, internal testing reportedly continues, with select Apple employees trialling early versions of the device in real-world environments as recently as March.
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