Apple's 2026 Smart Home Revamp: All the Rumors

[MacRumors]

It's been over a decade since Apple's HomeKit smart home platform launched, and it is overdue for an update. HomeKit and the Home app can no longer keep up with AI-powered solutions from other companies like Google and Amazon, but that's set to change with a smart home revamp that Apple has planned for 2026.

Home Hub

Apple is working on a home hub or "command center" that will serve as a centralized location for controlling smart home products, listening to music, making video calls, getting the weather, looking things up with Siri, displaying photos, making notes, viewing calendar events, and more.

The device has an all-display design that resembles an iPad, with a 7-inch display. It's said to be similar in size and shape to two iPhones placed side-by-side, but Apple is designing two variants. The first version is designed to be mounted on a wall, while the second version has a speaker base that looks similar to a HomePod mini and can be placed on a desktop or countertop.

The home hub will have its own operating system, and while there won't be an App Store, Apple apps will be available as widgets.

Built-in sensors will be able to determine when someone is near the home hub, and the features displayed will change based on presence. If no one is by the hub, it might show information like the time and temperature, but if someone approaches, it could shift to an interface for adjusting the temperature.

Presence detection will enable features like turning on the lights when someone enters the room, and it might also be able to tell one person from another. The home hub will play music, and it does have a camera that can be used for video calls.

Touch-based interactions will be available for widgets, but the hub will be heavily reliant on Siri voice commands. Siri could have a personified look on the hub, with one design described as a version of the Mac Finder icon.

While screen-based smart home devices like the Echo Show are available for under $200, Apple could price the home hub somewhere around $350. Price could vary for the version with the speaker base and the wall mounted version without it.

Apple is aiming to launch the home hub sometime in the March to April 2026 timeframe.

LLM Siri

Apple has held off on launching the home hub because it is waiting to debut the smarter, more capable version of Siri that's been in the works since Apple Intelligence features launched in iOS 18. The original plan was for a better version of Siri to come out in an iOS 18 update, but Apple decided Siri just wasn't good enough to do what it wanted.

Siri was delayed so Apple could overhaul the underlying architecture that powers the personal assistant. The new Siri will be more similar to ChatGPT or Claude than the Siri of today, incorporating large language models to answer complex queries and complete more complicated tasks.

Here's what Apple originally promised Siri would be able to do with Apple Intelligence:

Personal Context

With personal context, Siri will be able to keep track of emails, messages, files, photos, and more, learning more about you to help you complete tasks and keep track of what you've been sent.

• Show me the files Eric sent me last week.
• Find the email where Eric mentioned ice skating.
• Find the books that Eric recommended to me.
• Where's the recipe that Eric sent me?
• What's my passport number?

Onscreen Awareness

Onscreen awareness will let Siri see what's on your screen and complete actions involving whatever you're looking at. If someone texts you an address, for example, you can tell Siri to add it to their contact card. Or if you're looking at a photo and want to send it to someone, you can ask Siri to do it for you.

Deeper App Integration

Deeper app integration means that Siri will be able to do more in and across apps, performing actions and completing tasks that are just not possible with the personal assistant right now. We don't have a full picture of what Siri will be capable of, but Apple has provided a few examples of what to expect.

• Moving files from one app to another.
• Editing a photo and then sending it to someone.
• Get directions home and share the ETA with Eric.
• Send the email I drafted to Eric.

This summer, Apple software engineering chief Craig Federighi said that transitioning Siri to new architecture was a success, and that the personal assistant is going to be an even bigger update than expected.

"The work we've done on this end-to-end revamp of ‌Siri‌ has given us the results we needed," Federighi told employees. "This has put us in a position to not just deliver what we announced, but to deliver a much bigger upgrade than that we envisioned."

Apple decided to use AI technology from Google, so Siri will in part be powered by a Google Gemini model that Google designed for Apple. Siri will be as capable as Gemini since it is using the same underlying technology, but Apple will run the model on its own Private Cloud Compute server with no information provided to Google.

The new version of Siri is expected to be ready for an iOS 26.4 update planned for the same March or April timeframe rumored for the home hub.

HomePod mini and Apple TV

We're supposed to be getting updated versions of the HomePod mini and the Apple TV at some point between now and early 2026.

Both devices will get chip upgrades, and in the case of the Apple TV, it could gain support for some Apple Intelligence features. New Apple-designed networking chips will be included, but neither device is going to get a design update.

The HomePod mini and the Apple TV are linked to Apple's smart home platform and serve as smart home hubs for Matter, the cross-platform protocol that opens up the number of smart home accessories that are compatible with HomeKit.

Apple Security Cameras

Rumors suggest that Apple is designing its own indoor security cameras that will connect to HomeKit and interface with the planned home hub.

Cameras designed directly by Apple would offer unique integrations with Apple devices, and wo... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: Apple's 2026 Smart Home Revamp: All the Rumors

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

The new Home Hub actually sounds awesome, finally something from Apple that could centralize smart home control the way it should’ve been years ago. But honestly, they need to fix the Home app first. It’s clunky, slow, and half-baked compared to what Google and Amazon are doing. And Siri? Absolute dog sh*t right now. If Apple doesn’t seriously overhaul the software side, adding another screen to my wall isn’t going to magically make the experience any better. Hardware is great but the ecosystem needs a brain.

 

[klasma]

I wonder if, after the Control Center and Command Center, we’ll also get an Option Center.

 

[goobot]

The new Home Hub actually sounds awesome, finally something from Apple that could centralize smart home control the way it should’ve been years ago. But honestly, they need to fix the Home app first. It’s clunky, slow, and half-baked compared to what Google and Amazon are doing. And Siri? Absolute dog sh*t right now. If Apple doesn’t seriously overhaul the software side, adding another screen to my wall isn’t going to magically make the experience any better. Hardware is great but the ecosystem needs a brain.

Yea the home app is atrocious. I can’t even blacklist certain devices from people. Seems Apple cares little about user experience now adays and is too busy trying to throw as much overpriced hardware with half backed software to drive sales

 

[KENESS]

I'm really heavy into HomeKit... Three separate "homes" and hundreds of devices controlling everything from ACs, opening and closing windows, cutting off the water service to an area or the whole building (depending on severity) if a leak is detected and even raising and lowering storefront signage.

I can't see wanting to interact with a fixed location "home hub" on my wall or desk. If Siri is the primary focus, that is/will be on all HomePods which are already sprinkled throughout the spaces. And my phone is the quickest non-Siri way of control, and it is always with me.

I already have iPads on the wall dedicated to controlling the home, and I've just never found a use case for them. They do look cool, though.

 

[sandman404]

Yea the home app is atrocious. I can’t even blacklist certain devices from people. Seems Apple cares little about user experience now adays and is too busy trying to throw as much overpriced hardware with half backed software to drive sales

Apple never consults the users and puts out what they think people need. Their media app is a great example... people cried for a duplicate finder since the beginning and Apple just ignored it. Other vendors made apps to do it. Cannot dismiss that amount of craziness.

 

[coolfactor]

I was cleaning at a client's office and they had these table-top all-screen devices on the table that were connected to projectors. Walking into the room activated the device automatically. It was quite neat!

The price? $1600 — for just THIS one device! Projector not included.

Apple may not be first to implement such a screen-based device that lives in a fixed position, but they'll definitely come out with an amazing device at a better price than this!

 

[jz0309]

This does not sound like a product for me, don't use any "smart home stuff" (stuff that uses or requires HomeKit), but happy to when/if this finally gets released check it out again...

 

[AmigaDos]

I still don’t understand why they can’t put all of these features into an Apple TV, your TV should be your fixed control hub w/ AI powered Siri. You don’t need an additional device. Your iPhone, iPad, HomePod, and Mac can also control everything with a competent app.

 

[kunze50]

I was wondering why the Home app felt slighty "snappier" after iOS 26.1. Must be putting in some kind of effort again..

 

[rchaser]

I still don’t understand why they can’t put all of these features into an Apple TV, your TV should be your fixed control hub w/ AI powered Siri. You don’t need an additional device. Your iPhone, iPad, HomePod, and Mac can also control everything with a competent app.

You always need a new device.

More screens/devices = streamline, simplification.

 

[Boeingfan]

...Apple will run the model on its own Private Cloud Compute server with no information provided to Google.

I'm pleased to see this sentence.

 

[Boeingfan]

I still don’t understand why they can’t put all of these features into an Apple TV, your TV should be your fixed control hub w/ AI powered Siri. You don’t need an additional device. Your iPhone, iPad, HomePod, and Mac can also control everything with a competent app.

Warning: Significant levels of sarcasm ahead! How shortsighted! 😁 How can Timbo possibly satisfy the insatiable shareholder ROI appetite when you refuse to buy a new device? When we're all AI based, your perspective will be considered a flaw in the code hahaha 😄

 

[reyesmac]

Apple better be careful. This device screams to have Ai integration be its core foundation yet they don't have a good working way of doing that already released so early adopters have to be the labs rats testing their half baked solutions? It would be so much better if they worked out many bugs in such software in their other products before having people depend on this this for their home. You can say they can just not include Ai in it and just have it be an on off switch, but then what is the point of overpaying for that? Frankly it should be your Mac server anyone with a dummy terminal can log into and use as a Mac so you just have one of these and you can have a Mac in any room by logging into from an iPad or some older Mac. But that would compete with their own greed so it'll just be some niche thing for people in McMansions with more money than sense.

 

[phenste]

the idea of Apple putting out a Ring competitor is actually deeply exciting to me, given that Ring security is (ironically) a godd*mn farce. please, Apple, do not make this too expensive for the average consumer.

 

[tomsaccount]

I wonder if, after the Control Center and Command Center, we’ll also get an Option Center.

only if that option center can also get an option center

 

[Massy1989]

Here’s a crazy take… What if this isn’t a touch screen at all aside from a spot to pause music like existing HomePods?

What if Apple takes what they’ve learned with Vision Pro and those 6 front cameras and lets you interface via hand gestures (albeit device looking towards your hands as opposed to from your eye perspective)

You hold a phone. You hold an iPad. You don’t hold a speaker with a big screen. And if you’re cooking in the kitchen - have fun touching that screen to scroll or flip to the next part of a recipe. Having Siri recite it to you 3 times is fine, but it’s good to have options.

 

[klasma]

Here’s a crazy take… What if this isn’t a touch screen at all aside from a spot to pause music like existing HomePods?

What if Apple takes what they’ve learned with Vision Pro and those 6 front cameras and lets you interface via hand gestures (albeit device looking towards your hands as opposed to from your eye perspective)

You hold a phone. You hold an iPad. You don’t hold a speaker with a big screen. And if you’re cooking in the kitchen - have fun touching that screen to scroll or flip to the next part of a recipe. Having Siri recite it to you 3 times is fine, but it’s good to have options.

This will be a device like the Amazon Echo Show 10, mostly intended to be voice-controlled, but with a touchscreen for more involved and precise operation when needed:

The rumored upcoming next-gen Google Nest Hub will likely be similar to that as well.

 

[lovehateapple]

I would love to see a lock / deadbolt with bio-metric authentication that does NOT require a wi-fi connection.

 

[displayblock]

Who is “Eric” and why would I want Siri to send him my ETA?

 

[Wendihome]

I still don’t understand why they can’t put all of these features into an Apple TV, your TV should be your fixed control hub w/ AI powered Siri. You don’t need an additional device. Your iPhone, iPad, HomePod, and Mac can also control everything with a competent app.

$$$ the reason

 

[Wendihome]

I'm pleased to see this sentence.

As if Apple was any better, having the same motivation.

 

[Boeingfan]

As if Apple was any better, having the same motivation.

Same motivation, different goal, different outcome.

 

[boswald]

Looking forward to the new HomePod mini. My GF has the first generation and I'm impressed with the sound. Can't wait to hear the new one!

 

[Wendihome]

Same motivation, different goal, different outcome.

And that would be the bank account I assume