Latest news with #homeOS
Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Apple's long-awaited product reportedly delayed again, now expected in 2026
Apple's long-awaited smart home hub, once expected to headline its 2025 product lineup, is now likely to debut in 2026, according to a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The delay appears to be closely tied to Siri's next-generation capabilities, which have been pushed back due to ongoing development and quality concerns. Apple was banking on its newly revamped voice assistant, powered by Apple Intelligence and designed to work with an A18 chip.(Reuters) What Happened? The smart home device, which has been widely rumoured since 2024, was initially slated for a spring 2025 launch. With a compact 7-inch display, onboard camera, rechargeable battery, and a new operating system dubbed 'homeOS,' the device is designed to serve as a central control hub for smart homes. Features like FaceTime, Apple Intelligence integration, and a dashboard inspired by StandBy mode were expected to position it as a serious competitor to Amazon's Echo Show and Google's Nest Hub. Mobile Finder: Vivo X200 FE launched in India However, one key component has thrown the entire timeline into disarray: Siri. Apple was banking on its newly revamped voice assistant, powered by Apple Intelligence and designed to work with an A18 chip, to be the primary mode of interaction for the smart home hub. This enhanced Siri was supposed to launch with iOS 18.4 in March, then was quietly shifted to iOS 18.5 in May. Eventually, Apple confirmed that the upgraded Siri features would be delayed indefinitely, pushing their launch into an unspecified window in 2026. Why Siri Matters Unlike Apple's other devices, this smart home hub is designed to function largely through voice commands. Its reliance on Siri means that without the new version of the assistant, the product would ship with limited functionality. One of the core technologies involved, App Intents, enables Siri to interact more precisely with third-party and native apps, which is essential for the hub's promised seamless control of smart home devices. Mark Gurman's report reinforces this view, stating that 'at this point, I have little to no expectation that the product will arrive this year,' and suggests a 2026 launch is now far more likely. What's Next? As Apple continues to refine its AI and voice assistant capabilities, the smart home hub's release will likely coincide with the broader rollout of the new Siri, currently expected in 2026. Until then, fans of Apple's ecosystem will have to wait a little longer before getting their hands on a dedicated, voice-first smart home device.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Yahoo
iOS 18.6 code just leaked Apple's unreleased smart home hub
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, BGR may receive an affiliate commission. Apple continues to leak its upcoming products through iOS beta code. So far, this is the fourth device from the company that has appeared in the beta code of the iPhone's upcoming operating system. Apple has now leaked references for the long-anticipated smart home hub in the iOS 18.6 beta code. According to 9to5Mac's Benjamin Mayo, a new file indicates a 'home' asset that can only be loaded on the homeOS platform. That directory includes an image with a screen resolution of 2532 x 1170, which resembles an iPad mini display. While Mayo dives into the technical details, the key takeaway is that previous rumors suggested Apple was internally testing homeOS/tvOS on an iPad mini. This might also connect to a Bloomberg report claiming the upcoming device's screen will be like having two iPhone displays side by side. Today's Top Deals Best deals: Tech, laptops, TVs, and more sales Best Ring Video Doorbell deals Memorial Day security camera deals: Reolink's unbeatable sale has prices from $29.98 Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently revealed that Apple had planned to introduce its new homeOS software at a March event. But due to delays with Siri features, the company postponed the keynote, which was also set to include the debut of Apple's smart home hub. While Apple hasn't yet decided whether to launch the smart home hub without the updated Siri features (now expected early next year), the iOS 18.6 code shows that Cupertino is clearly preparing to release this new product category. In the past week, researchers have found references to four upcoming Apple products. Three were spotted in the iOS 26 beta code, and now the smart home hub has surfaced in iOS 18.6. Here's the list: AirPods Pro 3: Apple has referenced three AirPods Pro models, even though only two have been released so far. Here are some of the rumored features of these upcoming earbuds. AirTag 2: Apple's next-generation item tracker is expected to launch 'imminently,' though it's unclear why it hasn't been announced yet. With the new ultra-wideband chip, iOS 26 beta code indicates improved Precision Finding for this version. Cheaper Apple Vision Pro: Xcode 26 shows lower-resolution display settings for Apple Vision Pro content, hinting at the possibility of a more affordable Apple Vision Air. Smart home hub: Apple's long-rumored Echo Show competitor has now appeared in the iOS 18.6 beta code. Cupertino appears ready to launch it. BGR will continue to cover Apple's upcoming products, including leaks, rumors, and updates. Below, you can learn more about the new homeOS 26 software. Don't Miss: Today's deals: Nintendo Switch games, $5 smart plugs, $150 Vizio soundbar, $100 Beats Pill speaker, more More Top Deals Amazon gift card deals, offers & coupons 2025: Get $2,000+ free See the
Phone Arena
17-06-2025
- Phone Arena
Apple's Home Hub smart home display leaks in iOS beta code
Apple's long-rumored smart home display may finally be getting closer to launch. New findings hidden inside the latest iOS 18.6 beta suggest that Apple is continuing to work on its iPad-style Home Hub, a device designed to control smart devices, support FaceTime, and possibly mount on walls. As reported by 9to5Mac, a new Apple logo asset found in the beta's code may offer a clue about the screen size of the upcoming device. The file is listed under the path /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/ and named apple-logo-1088@2x~ The "~home" suffix is especially notable, as it points to the internal "homeOS" platform that Apple has been developing for smart home devices. Apple uses these logo files to match different screen sizes across devices. For example, a file named apple-logo-2532 corresponds to the iPhone 13 and 14, which have a resolution of 2532×1170. Based on this naming pattern, the new 1088@2x asset likely refers to a screen width of 2176 pixels. That resolution is in the same range as the iPad mini, which features an 8.3-inch screen with a resolution of 2266×1488. While this does not confirm exact dimensions, it suggests that Apple's upcoming smart display could be close in size—possibly around 7 to 8 inches diagonally. The iPad can run the Apple Home app, which has prompted some makeshift docking solutions. | Image credit — Apple The screen is expected to be of lower pixel density compared to the iPad mini, which makes sense given its use case. As a stationary home device likely viewed from a distance, it doesn't need the same sharpness. A lower-resolution display also helps reduce manufacturing costs, potentially making the product more affordable than the $499 iPad mini. That said, this new product would be entering a smart home space where it faces stiff competition. Google, in particular, has already established a strong presence with its Nest Hub lineup and a more flexible Google Home app. Google's platform also supports a wide variety of third-party devices, something Apple has struggled with. However, that may begin to shift with the broader rollout of the Matter protocol, which aims to create a common standard for smart home compatibility across ecosystems. While these findings do not confirm a release date, they show that Apple is actively developing the device behind the scenes. Its delay may be tied to the company's efforts to improve Siri, which is expected to play a central role in how the hub operates. In a time when Apple is seeking to broaden its product lineup and connect devices more tightly to its services, a smart home hub like this could be a natural next step. And with a compact, wall-friendly design, it's one that might finally bring the idea of an Apple-powered smart home into clearer focus. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Yahoo
Apple's homeOS 26 software is still coming despite missing WWDC
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, BGR may receive an affiliate commission. Alongside the many rumors regarding possible WWDC 2025 announcements, there was an on-going rumor about Apple unveiling homeOS 26. However, as another WWDC came to a close, Apple hadn't said a word about the new operating system, which will presumably be what powers everything home-related from the company. On one hand, it makes sense. After all, the company hasn't unveiled any new hardware related to people's homes. But Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that the smart home OS is still in the works — we're just going to have to wait a bit longer to see it. Today's Top Deals Best deals: Tech, laptops, TVs, and more sales Best Ring Video Doorbell deals Memorial Day security camera deals: Reolink's unbeatable sale has prices from $29.98 According to the journalist in his Power On newsletter, 'Apple never intended to unveil homeOS at WWDC.' Gurman says 'the original plan was to announce this operating system in March alongside new hardware.' Since Apple didn't hold a March event due to the delayed Siri features, the company decided to postpone the software as well. While Gurman believes that Apple can still introduce the rumored smart home hub and the homeOS 26 software without the new Siri AI features, he says it 'would degrade the user experience. In any case, it probably makes more sense to unveil homeOS at an event focused on consumers, rather than developers.' homeOS has been rumored for a while now. This is Apple's new software for everything home-related. The company is expected to create a sub-branch of tvOS to run more specific home products, such as tabletop devices, HomePods, and other smart home products. So far, some of the products that could run this new operating system include: HomePod with a display: Several reports highlight a possible HomePod with a display, which would be an improvement over the current generation. It could ultimately display weather reports, music, videos, and more. Squared display with HomePod combo: Previous reports reveals that Apple could soon launch a product with a squared display, tabletop arms, built-in camera, and Apple Intelligence. Premium tabletop: Gurman claims that Apple is developing a $1,000 tabletop device as a premium alternative to the Amazon Echo Show. It's still a few years out. Other smart home devices: Apple is also testing security cameras, a door lock with Face ID, and other home devices to further take over our homes. Finally, Apple could also tweak tvOS 26 to become homeOS 26, as it could power future Apple TV and HomePod models. After all, the company wants to keep expanding its Apple Intelligence platform to all the products it can. Don't Miss: Today's deals: Nintendo Switch games, $5 smart plugs, $150 Vizio soundbar, $100 Beats Pill speaker, more More Top Deals Amazon gift card deals, offers & coupons 2025: Get $2,000+ free See the
Digital Trends
16-06-2025
- Digital Trends
Apple's smart home device plans are running late, but I'm ready to wait
At its annual developers conference this year, Apple announced a set of sweeping changes across its software platforms, introducing a whole new design language, a massive iPadOS makeover, and some key updates to macOS elements like Spotlight. What was conspicuously missing from WWDC 2025 was homeOS. Apple was expected to make a grand reveal of its smart home-focused operating system, ahead of launching a couple of products. The first one reportedly looks like a smart display with its own speaker assembly, while the other model could even get a robotic arm. It now seems the plans for homeOS, and the smart home devices have been pushed into 2026. Recommended Videos But if you watched the event closely, there was a sneak peek of the future. Yes, AI would be very much part of it. And yes, it would make interacting with a smart home device a lot more meaningful and functional. Hint: Think apps, developers, AI, and voice commands. Read on: What's the current status? Apple was apparently planning to introduce homeOS in March this year, but the delays with AI-related features killed those plans. 'That operating system and device, however, rely heavily on the delayed Siri features. And that means they probably won't be able to ship until the Siri upgrades are ready,' according to Bloomberg. The outlet had previously reported that the first of the two planned device packs a screen measuring roughly six inches. It can be mounted like a wall tablet, and there's also a range of base attachments for it, such as a speaker accessory. The idea isn't novel, as the likes of Amazon and Google have already experimented with such products. What was supposed to set the device apart was the deep integration with Apple's ecosystem. Aside from serving as a central hub for controlling smart home devices, it would also enable video conferencing, and be capable of running apps such as Safari and Apple Music. More importantly, the device is expected to rely heavily on AI chops, and that's where Apple is currently falling behind. 'The technology was part of a planned smart home hub that has now been pushed back as well, keeping Apple from moving into a new product category,' reports the outlet. Apple is now eyeing a Spring 2026 release for the next-gen Siri features and on-device AI capabilities. What exactly is in the package for homeOS remains to be seen, but if the new Alexa+ from Amazon is anything to go by, we are in for a big leap. Why is it the right move? 'This is a big lift,' Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, Craig Federighi, told The Wall Street Journal when asked about Apple's next-gen Siri plans last year. The tone hasn't shifted a year later. 'There's no need to rush out with the wrong features and the wrong product just to be first,' he told the outlet earlier this month. Apple won't be the first to flag the risks, and it certainly doesn't want to be on the receiving end of AI gaffes after the Apple Intelligence-BBC news misinterpretation fiasco. Google's AI, despite firmly landing in the futuristic Project Astra age, still gets something as basic as the date wrong. Again and again. Amazon claims Alexa has hundreds of millions of users, but the AI-powered Alexa+ has only managed to reach a pool of less than one percent of its audience. According to a Reuters report that cites internal sources, Alexa+ is suffering from slow responses and that it 'occasionally generates inaccurate or fabricated information.' The New York Times, after testing Alexa+, reports that a handful of its most promising features are either unavailable or 'most of them are very much a work in progress.' But those are not insurmountable challenges. AI is the real issue. AI, and its natural conversational capabilities, are still a risky affair. As per a devastating account in The New York Times, interacting with ChatGPT pushed two users on an emotional spiral, and one of them ended up dead. It's worth noting here that ChatGPT has been integrated within the Apple Intelligence stack to help Siri handle advanced queries. With the release of iOS 26 and the companion updates across other Apple platforms, it can now do even more. Imagine an Apple-made smart home device running ChatGPT (with all its flaws) in your home, especially with kids and elders around. It's safe and accurate for the most part, but there are scenarios where deep interactions have quickly turned harmful. Apple certainly wouldn't risk putting such a stack on a device that is always at home. Aside from those inherent risks, half-baked features and integrations would simply make the product less appealing and attract criticism. Apple has tasted it and had to pull one of its ambitious Siri-AI ads because the tech is just not there yet, a year after showcasing it. But now that the company has set a 2026 release date, it's plausible that the work on Siri and its AI tricks has progressed meaningfully. A sneak peek of the future Now, you might ask what the whole fuss around the next-gen Siri is all about. Well, Apple is tweaking the fundamental architecture of Siri and molding it to act more like a chatbot, like Gemini, ChatGPT, or Claude. Think of it as the same magnitude of change as Google Assistant going away in favor of Gemini. Aside from handling user interactions and smart home controls, it is now integrated everywhere in apps such as Gmail, Docs, Maps, and even external apps like Spotify. Siri doesn't offer that. Yet. It could change soon, and we already got a glimpse of it at WWDC. That secret sauce is on-device Apple Intelligence foundation model. In a nutshell, developers will be able to build on-device AI experiences within their apps. The best part? Free AI inference. Moreover, the on-device AI capabilities can be integrated within apps using merely a few lines of code. In a nutshell, apps will gain more conversational and visual capabilities powered by AI. And since all it happens on-device, user data privacy is not compromised. Simply put, the apps powered by Apple's AI models are going to be smarter and more intuitive. So, how does it benefit Apple's smart home display? As per Bloomberg, the device will integrate tightly with the iPhone and will even enable Handoff for seamlessly transferring a task from its screen to the smartphone in your hand. Overall, it seems Apple wants to keep its AI stack, apps, and the integrations ready so that when the device launches, it doesn't run into the current limitations. It will allow natural language conversations and let users perform tasks across different apps with voice commands that don't sound like a maths formula. A few more months in development sounds like the right approach at this point.
