Apple delays new Smart Home Hub – here's why

The Apple Smart Home Hub, which some people call the HomePad, was originally scheduled to launch in March. But according to a report by Mark Gurman (Bloomberg), Apple has postponed the launch due to delays in integrating new Siri features that are crucial to the product. At the same time, an internal testing program is underway in which Apple employees try out the device in their homes.

Apple has been working on a central control unit for the smart home for some time. The new device is intended to play an important role in Apple's strategy for connected living and offer an alternative to products such as the Amazon Echo Show or Google's Nest Hub. But unlike the competition, Apple is placing a strong emphasis on integration with Siri and other Apple services. So far, little is officially known about the device, but there are already some technical details from rumors and reports. It is clear that Apple does not simply want to bring another smart display onto the market with the Home Hub, but is planning a deeper integration into the Apple ecosystem.

Why is the Apple Home Hub delayed?

The biggest hurdle to the device's timely release is delays with Siri. The Smart Home Hub is said to rely heavily on new app intent features that allow Siri to interact more intelligently with apps. Apple actually wanted to release these features with iOS 18.4 in April. But now it is clear that the launch will be delayed further. Apple has also officially confirmed this:

We've also been working on a personalized Siri that better understands your personal context and is able to act on your behalf within and across your apps. These features are taking longer than we thought to develop, and we expect to launch them in the coming year.

This statement suggests that some of the planned Siri improvements will only appear with an iOS 19 update. This also affects the Apple Home Hub, because the device depends on these new Siri functions.

Internal tests are already underway

Although the market launch has been postponed, Apple is already testing the device internally. According to Gurman, some Apple employees are allowed to take the Home Hub home and try it out (via Bloomberg). Such internal tests are not uncommon at Apple. They help the company identify errors early and further optimize the product before launch. This means that despite the delay, Apple already has a working prototype.

Technical details and functions of the new Home Hub

Even though Apple itself has not yet released any technical details, there are some rumors and leaks that paint a picture of the device.

7-inch display with thick bezel
Camera on the top, probably for FaceTime
Rechargeable, built-in battery for wireless operation
New operating system "homeOS", especially for smart home control
Strong focus on video applications, including FaceTime
support for many Apple apps
StandBy-inspired dashboard for controlling the smart home
Integration of Apple Intelligence to automate processes

The device is intended to serve as the hub for your smart home and offer deeper integration with Apple products than previous HomePods. The camera is particularly exciting, as it hints at FaceTime and other video applications.

When will the Apple Home Hub be released? The wait continues

A new release date is not known. However, since the Siri functions are delayed until at least 2026, the market launch could also be delayed until next year. However, internal tests show that Apple is actively developing the product. As soon as the Siri integration is complete, Apple could introduce the Smart Home Hub relatively quickly. So it remains exciting for Apple users who are looking for a central control for their smart home. The device could significantly improve the smart home experience in Apple's ecosystem - but when exactly it will be released remains unclear for now. (Photo by Unsplash+ / Mohamed Nohassi)