Apple’s Smart Home Hub Delayed to 2026 Amid Siri Setbacks
Apple’s long-rumored smart home hub has hit yet another delay, with its launch now expected to be pushed to 2026. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the holdup stems from Apple’s next-generation Siri — a critical piece of the hub’s functionality — also being postponed.
Internally codenamed J490, the device is designed to operate largely through voice commands, relying heavily on the revamped Siri to deliver a more intelligent and context-aware experience. The upgraded assistant is intended to access on-screen content and personal data to handle more complex requests — but it won’t be ready in time for a 2025 debut.
A key component of this advanced voice control is a new version of Apple’s App Intents framework, which allows Siri to interact more precisely with third-party apps. With both the new Siri and App Intents still in development, Apple has reportedly decided to hold off on launching the hub until all the necessary technologies are ready.
This isn’t the first time J490 has been delayed. Previous reports hinted at internal uncertainty around the timeline, with 2026 already floated as a possibility. Gurman now confirms that any hope for a 2025 release is off the table.
Despite the delays, Apple still sees the smart home hub as a stepping stone toward more ambitious AI-driven hardware, including a potential tabletop robot with a dynamic, expressive arm. But for now, Apple fans will have to wait a bit longer for the company’s next big move in the smart home space.
