Apple's 2026 Home Hub Could Cost $350

[MacRumors]

Apple is aiming to launch a new home hub and indoor security camera in 2026, with a tabletop robot coming in 2027, reports Bloomberg.

The home hub has an iPad-like 7-inch display, and it will be able to run apps and control smart home devices. There are apparently two versions in the works, one that is designed to be mounted on the wall, and a second tabletop model. The tabletop home hub has a speaker base that "resembles a screen-equipped version of the HomePod mini."

Both versions of the home hub will include a FaceTime camera for video calls, and sensors to recognize the person that's using it. It will be able to differentiate between different members of the household, adjusting available apps and features for each person.

Apple could charge around $350 for the home hub, which would make it much more expensive than competing products like the Amazon Echo Show, and it would be $50 more than the full-sized HomePod. Apple's operations teams are said to be looking at ways to cut the cost, so it's possible the device could be more affordable at launch. If not, costs may come down for future versions.

Apple's home hub has been finished since last year. Apple wanted to launch it in March 2025, but ended up pushing it back because the more advanced version of Siri wasn't ready to go. An updated Siri built using next-generation architecture will be ready to go in March 2026, and after that, Apple will be free to launch the home hub.

An Apple-designed security camera that integrates with the home hub could be released as soon as late 2026, and a full tabletop robot is slated for 2027. The robot is similar in design to the home hub, but it includes a 9-inch display and a motorized arm that can move the screen around on a user's workspace. The robot will cost several hundred dollars because of the included components.

Apple is planning to manufacture its upcoming smart home devices in Vietnam in a continuing effort to reduce its reliance on manufacturing in China. According to Bloomberg, Apple normally manufactures devices in a new product category in China to start with, but this time around, it will work with BYD in Vietnam. BYD is a Chinese company that makes electric vehicles, and Apple reportedly worked with BYD on battery technology before the Apple Car was scrapped.

BYD will be in charge of final assembly, testing, and packaging for the home hub and the tabletop robot. Apple has been expanding manufacturing in Vietnam for the last several years, and some iPads, AirPods, Apple Watches, and Macs are assembled there.

Article Link: Apple's 2026 Home Hub Could Cost $350

 

[MacUserFella]

No idea why but I thought it would cost like $600

 

[1rottenapple]

Apple is so late to the party. Seriously a home is something you upgrade one time typically and stick to the standard. And it’s hard to roll back and rebuy for a new standard. Right now my home came with ring and Amazon echo and everything is tied to that now (security, keypad, garage door, vacuum, washer/dryer). With house prices are I am not raring to buy another home. It would cost thousands just to look cute with a new HomePod when these home hubs have been around for a decade. Apple should have iterated quickly instead of their usual practice of waiting until they perfect that model.

My only nonAmazon is my google nest thermostat I recently upgraded (4th gen) for the sensors and the temp settings are superior to ecobee and Honeywell. I tried using matter standard with my HomePod but it doesn’t work.

 

[erihp]

nope

 

[erihp]

Right now my home came with ring and Amazon echo and everything is tied to that now (security, vacuum, thermostat, washer dryer)

No shade but I am sorry to hear that.

Zigbee and Zwave devices are the way. They cannot connect to the internet directly and are local-only.

This means they will work agnostically to whatever smart home 'brains' you choose in the future.

Thank you open source developers for Home Assistant and Homebridge and scrypted and frigate. Mini-shout out to Hubitat because their product is good too.

 

[EM2013]

Apple is so late to the party. Seriously a home is something you upgrade one time typically and stick to the standard. And it’s hard to roll back and rebuy a new standard. Right now my home came with ring and Amazon echo and everything is tied to that now (security, vacuum, thermostat, washer dryer), It would cost thousands just to look cute with a new HomePod when when already had these home hubs.

My only nonAmazon is my google nest thermostat I recently upgraded (4th gen) for the sensors and the temp settings are superior to ecobee and Honeywell. I tried using matter standard with my HomePod but it doesn’t work.

Seems like it’ll flop, like you mentioned why would people want to switch

 

[Apple-achian]

350$ is nothing for the security and peace of mind Apple offers.

 

[acader]

If this product is dependent on Siri, I can see that it is already DOA.

 

[Plerf]

Feels like colossal flop waiting to happen :/

Hope I'm wrong.

 

[jz0309]

Apple is aiming to launch a new home hub and indoor security camera in 2026, with a tabletop robot coming in 2027, reports Bloomberg.

The home hub has an iPad-like 7-inch display, and it will be able to run apps and control smart home devices. There are apparently two versions in the works, one that is designed to be mounted on the wall, and a second tabletop model. The tabletop home hub has a speaker base that "resembles a screen-equipped version of the HomePod mini."

Both versions of the home hub will include a FaceTime camera for video calls, and sensors to recognize the person that's using it. It will be able to differentiate between different members of the household, adjusting available apps and features for each person.

Apple could charge around $350 for the home hub, which would make it much more expensive than competing products like the Amazon Echo Show, and it would be $50 more than the full-sized HomePod. Apple's operations teams are said to be looking at ways to cut the cost, so it's possible the device could be more affordable at launch. If not, costs may come down for future versions.

Apple's home hub has been finished since last year. Apple wanted to launch it in March 2025, but ended up pushing it back because the more advanced version of Siri wasn't ready to go. An updated Siri built using next-generation architecture will be ready to go in March 2026, and after that, Apple will be free to launch the home hub.

An Apple-designed security camera that integrates with the home hub could be released as soon as late 2026, and a full tabletop robot is slated for 2027. The robot is similar in design to the home hub, but it includes a 9-inch display and a motorized arm that can move the screen around on a user's workspace. The robot will cost several hundred dollars because of the included components.

Apple is planning to manufacture its upcoming smart home devices in Vietnam in a continuing effort to reduce its reliance on manufacturing in China. According to Bloomberg, Apple normally manufactures devices in a new product category in China to start with, but this time around, it will work with BYD in Vietnam. BYD is a Chinese company that makes electric vehicles, and Apple reportedly worked with BYD on battery technology before the Apple Car was scrapped.

BYD will be in charge of final assembly, testing, and packaging for the home hub and the tabletop robot. Apple has been expanding manufacturing in Vietnam for the last several years, and some iPads, AirPods, Apple Watches, and Macs are assembled there.

Article Link: Apple's 2026 Home Hub Could Cost $350

Gorman probably got the price point leaked by Apple to "test the water"...

 

[segfaultdotorg]

It will never be as successful as the Echo unless it has ads.

 

[JPack]

Pretty reasonable price, given the base iPad is $349.

 

[vegetassj4]

Slap some wheels on that puppy and let's goooooooo!!

 

[LionTeeth]

I'm convinced Apple does no market research anymore. Zero. Like what is this? Do they know they already sell iPads... that are mobile or stationary?

 

[JitteryJimmy]

Comparison Time!

• I have no real idea what the new "Apple Home Hub" will be.
• I do know that the singular feature of the Echo Show that resoundingly wins over its reviewers is its Affiliate Code.

 

[badtzmaru]

isnt this just an ipad?

 

[Kar98]

What’s the point of this thing then?

 

[Light_of_Consciousness]

So this thing is coming to market in 2026 with technology that was finished in 2024… No one at Apple stopped to think about that?

 

[MrkJensen]

Wonder what the casters will cost?

 

[Macalway]

I'll be counting on Siri for security at my home. Should I have insurance?

(just kidding)

 

[Debauch]

Or hay, Apple, I’ll go ahead and save my $350 and use the iPad that’s been mounted on the kitchen wall for a few years now.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Are they at least going to give it a proper name, like iHome?

 

[JaRail]

If only they'd let us have more than one user on an iPad.

 

[definitive]

give it a few more years, and it'll cost as much as a new home. choose wisely!

 

[Apple.Fanatic]

Apple lost the smart home battle a long, long time ago. Although I'm unsure if "battle" is the right word, they really didn't put up much of a fight. I still own many Apple products, and I honestly can't even remember the last time I used Siri or Apple HomeKit. My home is all Google and Amazon services/products for smart home tech...including the Google Nest Hub Max that I've owned for many years, and Apple is just now perhaps going to make something similar.