Apple Might Delay Its Rumored New Smart Home Hub Until Next Year

[MacRumors]

Apple's rumored new smart home hub command center that was expected this year could be delayed, pushing its release all the way to 2026, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman revealed that Apple is "considering a delay until 2026" for the new smart home device. The main reason for the potential postponement is reportedly tied to "major engineering hiccups" with the revamped Siri voice assistant that will power the device.

Initially, Apple had hoped to release the product by now, and there were reports suggesting it might still arrive around the time of this year's iPhone 17 series launch in September. Now, those plans appear to be in jeopardy.

"The major engineering hiccups related to the revamped Siri voice assistant ended up delaying the product," Gurman wrote. "No big surprise there: The device will be primarily controlled by voice, and it depends on Siri and the underlying App Intents technology."

Despite the delay, testing of the device – code-named J490 – continues at Apple headquarters. A large number of employees are also reportedly testing the hub in their homes.

Gurman compared the upcoming product to the Google Nest Hub, suggesting it won't "make a big difference in terms of revenue" for Apple. However, he noted that it could set the stage for more ambitious products in the future.

One such future product, code-named J595, is already in development. According to Gurman, this follow-up device will add "an AI personality, additional sensors and a robotic arm that can maneuver the screen above your desk, kitchen counter or nightstand."

The delay of Apple's smart home hub ties in with the company's recent announcement that it needs more time to develop the promised more personalized version of Siri, which was previewed at WWDC 2024 last June. Apple stated these features would arrive "in the coming year," suggesting they won't be ready until sometime between iOS 19 in September 2025 and iOS 19.4 in March 2026.

Article Link: Apple Might Delay Its Rumored New Smart Home Hub Until Next Year

 

[nanorise]

Oh look, another Apple treat,
Delayed again, not quite complete!

 

[Rokkus76]

Until AI and a really bettere SIRI are ready, I hope...

 

[clg82]

Apple should change it's name to "delayed", I picked up an S25 Ultra as a work phone and the OS, as well as the hardware etc....are comparable......and don't get me started on how different the AI experience is, it's night and day difference, it's actually quite odd to have a conversation with a computer....but seriously Apple needs to get their **** together.

 

[Kalixt]

Does someone use Siri other than just "Hey Siri turn on TV ?". I tried to ask simple questions but there are only two scenarios - It provides answer in form of link on mobile or its just dead silence. Not even sorry I cant provide any info about your question. This is parody to voice assistant.

 

[wanha]

Why would anyone possibly want a robotic arm on their nightstan... ohhhh now I get it

 

[thiscatisfat]

Does someone use Siri other than just "Hey Siri turn on TV ?". I tried to ask simple questions but there are only two scenarios - It provides answer in form of link on mobile or its just dead silence. Not even sorry I cant provide any info about your question. This is parody to voice assistant.

I do whenever I need to hide a dead body

 

[wanha]

Apple should change it's name to "delayed", I picked up an S25 Ultra as a work phone and the OS, as well as the hardware etc....are comparable......and don't get me started on how different the AI experience is, it's night and day difference, it's actually quite odd to have a conversation with a computer....but seriously Apple needs to get their **** together.

You'll notice that this can't be officially delayed, since it was never announced to begin with.

Internal plans change all the time because the future is unknowable, including your plans and certainly mine.

 

[stocklen]

Oh look, another Apple treat,
Delayed again, not quite complete!

Don't give Gurman such power here.

Nothings been 'delayed' at all. Its a product that is unannounced, unseen, and Apple can release it whenever they like and it wont be 'delayed' at all.

Don't take what Gurman says as gospel and therefore 'oh this is now delayed".... on whose schedule, Mark, Apple's or your made up one....?

 

[211]

The integration with ChatGPT has made Siri finally useful when answering questions. However, when it comes to commands it can still only handle basic stuff. Even then, it makes mistakes (it doesn’t understand to add a song to my Favorites, add a reminder, etc)

 

[demwun]

Just bought a 16 Pro and it’ll be my last apple device if apple doesn’t get their **** together. It’s pathetic how in a couple of years Tim as well as anyone responsible for innovation have brought the Apple brand to be this boring and slow on releasing anything wow. Literally every single one of their “wow offerings” have been delayed or less than what was promised.

How to break brand trust and reliability 101, getting peoples hopes up and letting them down over and over and over again.

 

[clg82]

Does someone use Siri other than just "Hey Siri turn on TV ?". I tried to ask simple questions but there are only two scenarios - It provides answer in form of link on mobile or its just dead silence. Not even sorry I cant provide any info about your question. This is parody to voice assistant.

First time using Siri huh?

 

[Maxis]

Does someone use Siri other than just "Hey Siri turn on TV ?". I tried to ask simple questions but there are only two scenarios - It provides answer in form of link on mobile or its just dead silence. Not even sorry I cant provide any info about your question. This is parody to voice assistant.

In the early days of AI, Apple is like Nokia at the dawn of touchscreens — out of touch with what people really want.

 

[clg82]

The integration with ChatGPT has made Siri finally useful when answering questions. However, when it comes to commands it can still only handle basic stuff. Even then, it makes mistakes (it doesn’t understand to add a song to my Favorites, add a reminder, etc)

Your expectations are low if you consider it useful....

 

[iBluetooth]

Apple should change it's name to "delayed", I picked up an S25 Ultra as a work phone and the OS, as well as the hardware etc....are comparable......and don't get me started on how different the AI experience is, it's night and day difference, it's actually quite odd to have a conversation with a computer....but seriously Apple needs to get their **** together.

It's not delayed as it has never been announced. They experiment with many products and solutions and most of them will never become a product.

 

[pp_amorim]

I am not surprised at all, a product like that is 100% AI focused and they can't get even Siri working properly.

 

[HiFifreak]

Apple's rumored new smart home hub command center that was expected this year could be delayed, pushing its release all the way to 2026, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman revealed that Apple is "considering a delay until 2026" for the new smart home device. The main reason for the potential postponement is reportedly tied to "major engineering hiccups" with the revamped Siri voice assistant that will power the device.

Initially, Apple had hoped to release the product by now, and there were reports suggesting it might still arrive around the time of this year's iPhone 17 series launch in September. Now, those plans appear to be in jeopardy.

"The major engineering hiccups related to the revamped Siri voice assistant ended up delaying the product," Gurman wrote. "No big surprise there: The device will be primarily controlled by voice, and it depends on Siri and the underlying App Intents technology."

Despite the delay, testing of the device – code-named J490 – continues at Apple headquarters. A large number of employees are also reportedly testing the hub in their homes.

Gurman compared the upcoming product to the Google Nest Hub, suggesting it won't "make a big difference in terms of revenue" for Apple. However, he noted that it could set the stage for more ambitious products in the future.

One such future product, code-named J595, is already in development. According to Gurman, this follow-up device will add "an AI personality, additional sensors and a robotic arm that can maneuver the screen above your desk, kitchen counter or nightstand."

The delay of Apple's smart home hub ties in with the company's recent announcement that it needs more time to develop the promised more personalized version of Siri, which was previewed at WWDC 2024 last June. Apple stated these features would arrive "in the coming year," suggesting they won't be ready until sometime between iOS 19 in September 2025 and iOS 19.4 in March 2026.

Article Link: Apple Might Delay Its Rumored New Smart Home Hub Until Next Year

This guy gurman changes his predictions more oftne then his underware

 

[AppliedMicro]

It's not delayed as it has never been announced

It’s delayed according (and compared) to Apple’s internal plans, development timeline and/or target date for release.

Supposedly.

 

[CarpalMac]

Don't give Gurman such power here.

Nothings been 'delayed' at all. Its a product that is unannounced, unseen, and Apple can release it whenever they like and it wont be 'delayed' at all.

Don't take what Gurman says as gospel and therefore 'oh this is now delayed".... on whose schedule, Mark, Apple's or your made up one....?

Two things are for absolute certain:
1 - Apple will be working on new products (some of which of course may never see the light of day)
2 - They will have a target date in mind for each product.

Not saying Gurman is right on this specific device, but there is every likelihood they were and it most definitey can of been delayed. It doesn't need to have had a press release before it can qualify as a delay.

 

[0049190]

Don't give Gurman such power here.

Nothings been 'delayed' at all. Its a product that is unannounced, unseen, and Apple can release it whenever they like and it wont be 'delayed' at all.

Don't take what Gurman says as gospel and therefore 'oh this is now delayed".... on whose schedule, Mark, Apple's or your made up one....?

I don’t think you fully grasp the concept of a rumours website. Nothing is official, everything is speculation. It’s supposed to be fun not taken literally.

 

[titanium69]

Surprised pikachu

 

[orbital~debris]

Initially I discounted this mockup image, but it is growing on me…

It reminds me a little of a fusion of:
 Macintosh Classic
+ Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh
+ Apple Silicon-era iMac
+ original iMac in Bondi Blue

If the actual product looks anything like this, it will be pretty neat to have such a svelte & relatively powerful computer (given what can be achieved with modern tech; I don't mean YouTube benchmark battle power) with Apple's design heritage that can be placed on a kitchen counter etc.

 

[picpicmac]

an AI personality

We were warned about Genuine People Personality (GPP), but nobody listened.

 

[doelcm82]

In the early days of AI, Apple is like Nokia at the dawn of touchscreens — out of touch with what people really want.

Apple wants Siri to know enough about you and enough about the world to be useful, but store the knowledge about you locally on your device so it doesn't become harvestable.

It's what some of us want. Apparently it's more difficult than they expected.

Will they sacrifice our privacy for utility? Will we care?

 

[PBG4 Dude]

I do whenever I need to hide a dead body

LOL. A friend will help you move, a best friend will help you move a body.