Apple's Smart Home Hub Delayed Until 2026 [Gurman]

Apple's smart home hub, a project that has been in the works for some time, is now expected to be delayed until 2026, according to a recent newsletter from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The setback is reportedly tied to the device's heavy reliance on advanced Siri features that have also been postponed.

The device, internally codenamed J490, is designed to be operated primarily by voice. This makes it dependent on the next-generation Siri, which would allow the assistant to tap into a user's personal data and on-screen information to handle more complex queries. Gurman notes the hub also requires a new version of App Intents, the framework that enables Siri to control app functions with greater precision.

With the more capable version of Siri now pushed back, the timeline for the smart home hub has also shifted. Gurman states that he no longer expects the product to arrive this year, instead pointing to a 2026 launch that would align with the eventual release of the new Siri.


This isn't the first time the smart home hub has faced delays. It was previously postponed, with some reports suggesting Apple was already considering a 2026 release. For now, the J490 is seen as a key step toward more ambitious devices, including an AI-powered tabletop robot with an expressive arm.

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