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If you've been waiting for Apple to finally launch its own smart home hub, you'll probably have to wait a little longer. As Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports, the device's planned launch has been pushed back significantly—possibly even to 2026. This is due to internal issues, particularly with the further development of Siri and Apple Intelligence.
Apple has been working on a new device for your home for some time. The plan is to create a smart display comparable to the Google Nest Hub or Amazon Echo Show, but with typical Apple design, technology, and integration. The new hub would feature a 7-inch screen, a new operating system, and rely heavily on Apple Intelligence. The idea: a central hub for your smart home, controlled by a redesigned, more intelligent version of Siri.
Technical hurdles slow down Apple
According to Gurman's report, Apple has internally postponed the launch of this hub several times. The market launch was originally planned for March 2025. Later, April or a date around the launch of the new iPhones was mentioned. Now Apple itself appears to be unable to meet this timeframe and is considering bringing the product to market in 2026. The reason for the delay lies primarily with Siri. Apple wanted to make the voice assistant significantly more intelligent and closely integrate it with the new hub. But the technical implementation is apparently not going as planned. Some of the new Siri functions, which were already announced for this spring, have been officially postponed to "sometime next year." Internally, Apple is even considering completely redeveloping large parts of the planned features.
Internal restructuring and unclear roadmap
In addition to the technical difficulties, there have been restructurings within the company itself. These apparently also affect teams working on voice control and Apple Intelligence. This has made the timeline for the entire project even more uncertain. Regarding the planned Hub, one thing is clear: Apple didn't want to release a simple display, but rather a device that relies heavily on Apple Intelligence and so-called "App Intents." These should enable Siri to not only issue commands, but also control complex processes – for example, coordinating appointments, combining smart home actions, or merging information from multiple apps (via Bloomberg).
Smart Home remains a side project
Despite all the delays, the Smart Home Hub is still a relatively small project for Apple. According to Gurman, the company doesn't expect significant sales from the device. It's more about establishing a presence in the smart home space. Many fans had hoped that Apple would finally take a major step toward the smart home. The reality is: The product would be a typical Apple counterpart to the Google Nest Hub—functional, but not revolutionary.
Outlook: More than just a display?
The topic isn't completely off the table. Gurman reports that Apple is already working on an enhanced device—possibly with a robotic arm and more features. That sounds like a significantly more expensive product, not aimed at the mass market. The now-postponed Hub, on the other hand, should be an easy entry point. Whether Apple will continue with this plan remains to be seen. The device hasn't been officially announced yet, so a complete halt to the project is also possible.
Technical problems delay Apple's smart home plans
The planned Apple Smart Home Hub won't arrive until 2026 at the earliest. Technical issues surrounding Siri and Apple Intelligence are forcing the company to take a break. What was supposed to be the first serious step into the smart home market remains on hold for now. If Apple does release the hub, it will hopefully feature robust technology and real added value. Until then, you'll have to keep waiting—or opt for alternatives. (Photo by Unsplash+ / Getty Images)
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