Rumours have been going around for months regarding a possible Apple device that could oversee everyday chores. Apple Intelligence shared that this new product, once planned for an official date early this year, has been put on hold. Plans for a Siri upgrade appear to be at the heart of the matter, throwing the timeline into confusion.
Bloomberg wrote that Apple was counting on a major introduction around March, but that plan fell through. Mark Gurman explained that voice assistant troubles are a large part of the story. Some teams inside the firm worry that Siri may not be up to the task, leading to talks about a serious overhaul.
Apple wants this hub to function like a home command station, letting people handle lights, heating, and more. The device, according to MacRumours, is rumoured to be about the size of two iPhones side by side. It may carry a camera, speakers, and a simple touchscreen, bridging everyday tasks in one place.
Why Is Siri Delaying Everything?
Apple Intelligence mentioned that the planned Siri upgrade was once scheduled for iOS 18.4, but that window has slipped. The voice assistant needs a new blueprint to manage advanced requests, though the path forward looks complicated. Mark Gurman wrote that some leaders at Apple have lost confidence in the current setup.
According to MacRumors, Apple hopes Siri can manage more fluid interactions before placing it at the core of a home device. They mentioned that this small touchscreen needs solid software to run lights, camera feeds, and more. A half-ready Siri might disappoint fans who have high expectations.
Individuals within Apple told Apple Intelligence that a full rewrite of Siri could delay the home hub beyond 2025. This possibility is linked to the complex code that underpins the assistant. If the team scraps everything and starts anew, extra years of development may follow.
Bloomberg mentioned that some prototypes have reached employees’ homes for testing. The hardware seems more stable than the software, but a glitchy Siri upgrade might spoil the entire concept. Apple wants to avoid half-hearted launches, so it has pulled back to fine-tune everything.
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Could This Device Ever See The Light Of Day?
Ming-Chi Kuo, referenced on Apple Intelligence, believes production may begin near late 2025, though that is unclear. He called the product a reworked HomePod with a screen, designed to handle everyday controls around the house. MacRumors added that it might be sold in black or silver, with an iMac G4-style base.
Those same reports mention an A18 chip and at least 8GB of RAM. This hardware setup allows for advanced tasks such as camera calls and music playback. Rumours say Apple wants it to run Siri in a new way, bridging app commands in a single interface.
MacRumors reported that Apple might add face detection sensors, letting the screen respond when someone draws near. That concept could show basic information until a person steps closer, then open more controls. The idea tries to streamline daily tasks and reduce clutter.
Bloomberg wrote that Apple might create smaller plug-in sensors for outlets around the home. These would talk to the main hub and help track who enters a room. Apple wants to see if the first product does well before investing in a line of cameras or other accessories.
Nothing official has been shared on pricing. MacRumors compared it to Amazon’s Echo Show or Google’s Nest Hub, which sit well below £100 in smaller sizes. Apple may keep it compact to match those rival gadgets, though fans might anticipate a higher figure if it comes packed with Apple-quality parts.
