Apple's large-scale smart home offensive is slowly taking shape – albeit spread out over several years. A new Apple TV and a new HomePod mini are slated to kick things off in 2026. However, those waiting for the much-discussed robotic arm for the Home Hub will reportedly need considerably more patience.
It's no secret that Apple's AI push also includes new smart home devices. At its heart is the long-awaited Home Hub, whose release schedule, like that of other devices, is closely tied to Siri AI. The recent delays surrounding the Home Hub, the Apple Glasses, and the robot have disrupted this timeline. According to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman's Power On newsletter, a clearer picture is now emerging of what is likely to be released and in what order – and that the entire rollout could extend into 2028.
Apple TV and HomePod mini will be the first to go
The rollout is expected to kick off in 2026 with a new Apple TV and a redesigned HomePod mini; both could reportedly be released at any time during the year. The new Apple TV is said to support Apple Intelligence to a certain extent and may include a new Siri Remote. For the HomePod mini, whose successor has already been extensively rumored, access to Siri AI is likely to remain the key new feature – beyond that, few major changes are expected.
The Home Hub as a new product category
The Home Hub itself is also expected in 2026, which is why a dedicated smart home focus or a corresponding event in the fall is conceivable. The device is slated to launch as a standalone display that can be combined with various mounts – including speakers, wall mounts, and adjustable arms. Internally, the product is also referred to as the HomePad and is intended to serve as a central hub for the connected home.
The robot arm is taking the longest to arrive
The most striking accessory requires considerably more patience: a robotic arm for the Home Hub, which may be combined with an upgraded, more AI-powered version of the tablet device. According to the report, this isn't expected until 2027 or even 2028. The concept was always considered somewhat of a gamble: it's described as a device with its own "personality," reminiscent of an animated desk lamp, and reportedly still in an early testing phase.
A crush in the autumn calendar
There's also a practical problem: Apple is already facing a packed hardware season, with three new iPhones, two new Apple Watches, and a whole range of Macs coming before the end of the year. The question, therefore, isn't so much whether these Home products will arrive, but when. Because alongside all the other new releases, Apple needs to find space to introduce a completely new product category like the Home Hub and simultaneously explain why a new Apple TV and a new HomePod mini are even necessary.
It's a question of when, not if
The September keynote is likely already packed, and devices of this magnitude hardly fit into the format of a simple press release. The report therefore anticipates that Apple could dedicate a substantial section to its smart home products during a keynote in October primarily focused on the Mac. For Apple, this would be the opportunity to finally present the individual components of its connected home strategy as a coherent whole – even if the most spectacular part is still years away. (Image: Shutterstock / Tartezy)
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