HouseLannister
macrumors 68040
This device is already manufactured, boxed, and in a warehouse. Just waiting on Apple Intelligence to be a thing.
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Apple's 'HomePad' Now Rumored to Launch Even Later Than Expected
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If it really looks like the iMac G4, I might buy one just because of the design. That was my favorite Mac design.
Hopefully it at least waits to be asked.
Versus "I noticed you walked by! The current weather outside is..."
A timeline I made up didn’t happen? Well, it’s NOT because it was a made up timeline, obviously!
tomtad
macrumors 68040
I disagree. They clearly don't want to launch this without the new Google Gemini powered Siri. Once that is launched this will then follow.
I know very little about product development, although I was involved in quite a lot in the hi-fi industry, but what I don’t get is, how can you be working on an item like this for many years?
Something is seriously wrong with a company that requires that timeframe to bring out something that is no more than a speaker with an iPad type appendage
This is just damn ridiculous
Something is seriously wrong with a company that requires that timeframe to bring out something that is no more than a speaker with an iPad type appendage
This is just damn ridiculous
They are so late to the party on this product segment, their competitors already are on their 11th generation
You're probably right, it will be released whether it works or not. What has Cook done to Apple. The lack of strategic direction is simply astounding.
macduke
macrumors G5
I don’t get the point. Why would I want to wander over and poke at a screen when I have a screen in my pocket, on my wrist, in my hands, or on my desktop? And the HomePod mini is perfectly fine for yelling into the void to control an accessory. It really needs to have more than this to be useful. Like whole home presence detection so I can set automations for when people enter and leave rooms at different times of the day. My dream is to walk around my house at night and have lights turn on and off automatically. Especially since I’m a dad and always having to walk around turning off every light!
DailySlow
macrumors 65816
#1 I do NOT want this to do facial recognition unless it’s opt-in - this so as to optimize simple set-up for majority of users. If it doesn’t “just work” and sucks time configuring and customizing it goes in the trash bin and surely earns a poor review here. #2 VOICE recog ok. #3 One step bullet-proof no-brainer migration from present “Home” hub device (HomePod, AppleTV, iPad) to include removing configuration perfectly from former device after successfully migrating it to this new thingamabob. No excuses as it’s my time and my money.
Apple's long-rumored smart home hub device will launch in the fall of 2026, according to the leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami."
In a new post on X, Kosutami said that the device, colloquially dubbed the "HomePad," is now set to arrive in the fall of 2026. The fall runs from September to December, and usually coincides with Apple's busiest release period of the year.
Apple has reportedly been working on the device for several years, with the aim for it to serve as a centralized location for controlling smart home products, listening to music and podcasts, making video calls, and getting glanceable information like the weather and calendar events.
The device is expected to have a 7-inch square display and a front-facing camera. There may be two versions, with one designed to be mounted on a wall and the other featuring a speaker base that apparently looks similar to a HomePod mini and can be placed on a desktop or countertop.
Built-in sensors will be able to determine when someone is near the home hub, and the displayed content will change based on who is present. It will be heavily reliant on Siri voice commands, and Siri could even have a new personified look on the hub, with one design described as a version of the Mac Finder icon.
Apple could price the home hub somewhere around $350. The device was originally rumored to launch in early 2025, but due to delays with Apple Intelligence, its apparent release date moved to early 2026, and now to the fall. The rumored release timing means the HomePad could arrive alongside products like the iPhone 18 Pro in September or redesigned MacBook Pro models in October.
Article Link: Apple's 'HomePad' Now Rumored to Launch Even Later Than Expected
rosuna
macrumors regular
So we have the date for the release of Apple Intelligence with advanced features: the fall, so iOS, MacOS, iPadOS 27.
A daffy product to sell given the current state of Siri.
Makes a lot more sense once Siri works better.
Makes a lot more sense once Siri works better.
turbineseaplane
macrumors Penryn
turbineseaplane
macrumors Penryn
I wonder if they will end up getting dumped in Africa, kind of like how they give away Super Bowl loser T-shirts.
RedGT
macrumors 6502
Design looks a bit dated to me.
Cmon apple, make it like this.
It would sell like hotcakes.
Cmon apple, make it like this.
It would sell like hotcakes.
My sources inside the Apple supply chain told me that the HomePad is likely to launch at some point of time, but there is a possibility that it won't launch.
They can’t get the AirPower treatment because they were never announced. AirPower was a real failure. These are (maybe?) internal delays.
Christmas release timed for OS 27. Makes a lot of sense to me. I just hope I don’t have to wait that long for an AppleTV, been holding off for a year and half already 😅
To start with, because it’s obviously not “no more than a speaker with an iPad type appendage”.