Highlights
- Apple’s smart home hub is delayed due to unfinished development of the new AI‑powered Siri.
- The hub resembles a 7‑inch tablet with facial recognition, personalised content, smart home controls, and Apple apps, running on tvOS 27.
- The postponed Siri overhaul also impacts upcoming Apple TV 4K and HomePod models, which may now debut alongside iOS 27.
Apple is reportedly delaying the launch of its upcoming smart home display device until September 2026. According to a report from Bloomberg, the delay is linked to ongoing development challenges with the company’s next-generation version of Siri, which will play a central role in the device’s functionality. Here’s what we know about this for now.
Apple Smart Home Hub Launch Delayed Due to Siri Development
The planned smart home hub has reportedly faced multiple delays as Apple continues working on a revamped version of Siri powered by advanced AI features. Initially, the company was aiming to introduce the device in spring 2025.
However, when it became clear that the new AI-driven version of Siri as a part of Apple Intelligence would not be ready in time, Apple shifted the expected release window to spring 2026. At that time, the company planned to roll out the updated Siri features through iOS 26.4.
The updated Siri capabilities have not appeared in the iOS 26.4 beta, indicating that development is still incomplete. Because of this, Apple has reportedly postponed the smart home hub launch to September 2026.
A September release suggests the new features for Siri may debut with iOS 27, which Apple typically releases around the same time each year. The company previously promised that the upgraded Siri would arrive sometime in 2026, and launching it before December would still meet that commitment.
Reports indicate that the smart home hub hardware has already been completed and ready for release for several months. However, Apple is reportedly holding it back until the new AI-powered Siri experience is ready.
Expected Design and Features
The device is expected to resemble a small tablet similar to an iPad, featuring a 7-inch square display. It can reportedly be mounted on a wall or paired with a speaker base.
The smart hub will include a built-in camera capable of facial recognition, allowing it to detect who is in the room and display personalised content when someone approaches the device.
Apple designed the hub as a central AI-powered control device for smart homes. Users will reportedly be able to control connected smart home products, make calls, and access Apple apps such as Calendar and Reminders.
The device will not have a dedicated App Store but will run Apple apps with round icons arranged in a layout similar to those on the Apple Watch. The hub is expected to operate on a version of tvOS 27.
Siri Overhaul Still in Development
Apple first showcased the next-generation version of Siri in June 2024 and initially planned to introduce it through iOS 18.4. The new features were expected to bring deeper personalisation, improved on-screen awareness and the ability for Siri to perform actions across apps.
Additional capabilities include image generation using Image Playground and web search summaries that compile information from online results.
The company also planned to follow up with further improvements in iOS 27, transforming Siri into a chatbot-style assistant similar to ChatGPT. However, current reports suggest that many of these features could now arrive together with iOS 27.
New Apple TV 4K and HomePod Also Tied to Siri Update
The Siri delays may also impact other Apple products. According to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, Apple has new versions of the Apple TV 4K and HomePod ready for launch, but their release may also depend on the new Siri capabilities.
Rumours about an updated HomePod mini and a refreshed Apple TV 4K have been circulating since 2024. Gurman previously reported that Apple planned to launch these devices before the end of 2025, but they never appeared.
Apple also did not announce them during its early 2026 launch event, where the company unveiled the iPhone 17e and the MacBook Neo.
Expected Hardware Upgrades
The Apple TV 4K has not been updated since 2022. Reports suggest the next version could feature the A17 Pro chip along with Apple’s N1 networking chip. The A17 Pro processor previously powered the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPad mini, and it is capable of supporting Apple Intelligence features.
Meanwhile, the next-generation HomePod mini is expected to feature a newer chip derived from the Apple Watch, along with the N1 chip and an updated ultra-wideband (UWB) chip.
For now, it appears Apple may wait until its AI-powered Siri is ready before launching several of these upcoming devices.
FAQs
Q1. Why has Apple delayed the smart home hub launch?
Answer. The delay is due to ongoing development challenges with Apple’s next‑generation Siri, which is central to the hub’s functionality.
Q2. When is the smart home hub now expected to launch?
Answer. Apple has reportedly postponed the release to September 2026, likely alongside iOS 27.
Q3. What features will the smart home hub include?
Answer. The device will feature a 7‑inch square display, facial recognition for personalised content, smart home controls, Apple apps like Calendar and Reminders, and will run on tvOS 27.