Apple Considers Delaying Smart Home Hub Until 2026 [Gurman]

Apple's long-anticipated smart home hub may not arrive as soon as expected, according to a new report from Mark Gurman. In a newsletter to subscribers today, Gurman says the device, which he's covered extensively in recent months, has hit delays tied to ongoing issues with the revamped Siri voice assistant.

The smart home hub was originally slated to be on sale by now, as Gurman noted in a recent online Q&A. However, significant engineering challenges with Siri and its underlying App Intents technology have pushed the timeline back. Early hopes pegged the delay as minor, potentially aligning the launch with the new iPhones later this year. That optimism has faded, and Apple is now weighing a release in 2026, when the updated Siri features are expected to roll out.

Testing for the hub, known internally as J490, is still underway at Apple's headquarters. A sizable group of employees has also been given units to use at home. Gurman describes the device as Apple's take on the Google Nest Hub, designed primarily for voice control through Siri. While it may not revolutionize the smart home market or significantly boost revenue, it's seen as a stepping stone for future projects.


Apple is already developing a follow-up device, code-named J595, which builds on the hub's foundation. That product includes an AI-driven personality, additional sensors, and a robotic arm to adjust the screen's position over surfaces like a desk, kitchen counter, or nightstand. For now, though, the focus remains on getting the initial hub ready, with its timeline still uncertain.

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