Apple's 2026 Home Hub Could Cost $350

[1rottenapple]

Feels like colossal flop waiting to happen :/

Hope I'm wrong.

I don’t know people are disagreeing with my post 100% haha I don’t think I’ve posted anything that has had more people 👎 that the precious HomePod.

 

[iToph]

Category: Things, nobody asked for

 

[SebCohen]

Problem is, they have nothing to put in it. Nobody’s paying 350$ for Siri….even less Apple Intelligence.

 

[transpo1]

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?

Exactly-- why not build a stand with a speaker in it that you can mount an iPad to? And/or make this a special app and service that they charge for yearly?

 

[transpo1]

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.

This is all about them worried they will lose the home ecosystem to Google and Amazon...and unfortunately for them, it's already happened. They must think they have to compete in this category to safeguard the iPhone and their overall ecosystem.

 

[Unami]

All that for (because of siri) unreleased tech from 2024

 

[HiFifreak]

Now in 2027 again? Where is Mark Gurman??

 

[Anonymous Freak]

I just want it to look like a small iMac G4, with robotically-articulated display mount to follow the user when on a video call, like the Pixar short.

 

[Judo]

Pretty sure this will go the way of the home pod. Maybe gets one small revision and then totally forgotten about.

 

[tomtad]

I think they’ll call it the Pod

Apple Pod

 

[erihp]

If it has a USB-C 2.0 port for more than just power, I can connect it to my hi-fi and play Apple Music. With the Apple TV, I always need a TV and a remote.

If you’re looking for a solution today, an AirPort Express gen 2, Eve Play, or Belkin Soundform Connect will get you ‘headless’ multi-room Airplay 2 for a very low cost.

 

[svanstrom]

Just make it a HomePod with a MagSafe top with essentially an updated Home app in StandBy mode when you attach either an iPhone or an iPad mini.

 

[erihp]

Just make it a HomePod with a MagSafe top with essentially an updated Home app in StandBy mode when you attach either an iPhone or an iPad mini.

Sure would make a lot of spare/old phones ‘great again’.

 

[MilaM]

Just make it a HomePod with a MagSafe top with essentially an updated Home app in StandBy mode when you attach either an iPhone or an iPad mini.

I agree. This does not need to be a separate device with a screen. The iPad has most of the necessary hardware already built in. The only thing missing is a more powerful speaker.

 

[svish]

An Apple branded security camera will be good. Expecting it to have all the security and privacy features that Apple brings. Very possible that the home hub is $350 or at least $299 as it might he positioned above the HomePod or maybe even going to replace it.

 

[User 6502]

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

What sort of comparison is this? This is not an iPad, it’s just a screen on a speaker. It should cost 100-150 at most. Unless the screen is detatchable and it can be used like an iPad.

 

[Kidseeghost]

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[Kidseeghost]

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[Marbles1]

>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.

What on earth is this 'robot' meant to be for?

 

[Kidseeghost]

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[Kidseeghost]

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[Kidseeghost]

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[philstubbington]

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

You know you can use a $99 Apple TV as a home hub?

 

[Kidseeghost]

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[Sir Ruben]

I have a very established smart home that consists of both Home Assistant and Alexa. While I dont like Alexa too much it's very compatible and Home Assistant is amazing. I have everything from lights, to cameras, to smart blinds, to sensors and thermostats, I have tons of automations set up and to be fair it's all working pretty amazingly.

Where does the Apple Home thingy fit into all this other than looking interesting on my coffee table?