Apple has quietly delayed the release of its long-awaited smart home hub, originally slated for launch in 2025. The device, which blends the capabilities of a HomePod and an iPad into a single control center for the home, is now expected to arrive no earlier than 2026. This shift marks a significant setback for Apple’s ambitions in the smart home ecosystem and underscores the growing importance—and complexity—of integrating artificial intelligence into everyday consumer technology.
Internally, the device is known by the code name “J490,” and has been under active development for some time. Apple employees have reportedly been testing early prototypes of the hub in real-world home settings. The product is believed to feature a six- or seven-inch touch display mounted on a speaker base, running a customized version of homeOS. The operating system is expected to draw from Apple’s existing platforms like tvOS and iOS, and would allow users to interact with their smart home devices using both touch and voice through Siri.
What was supposed to be one of Apple’s flagship AI-powered consumer products is now caught in a broader strategic delay. At the heart of the issue is Siri itself, or more precisely, the company’s efforts to transform Siri into a more intelligent, context-aware assistant under the Apple Intelligence banner. This new initiative aims to make Siri capable of interpreting complex commands, understanding intent across multiple apps, and performing nuanced tasks with minimal user input. However, according to multiple reports and industry insiders, the underlying technology simply isn’t ready.
The delay of the smart home hub is not a hardware issue. By most accounts, the device is polished, fully functional, and could be mass-produced in its current form. But Apple has decided that without the more advanced iteration of Siri, the experience would fall short of expectations. The hub is designed not only to control lights and thermostats, but also to manage calendar events, respond to messages, initiate FaceTime calls, and operate as a visual extension of Apple’s AI assistant. Releasing it with a subpar Siri experience could tarnish the brand and undermine confidence in the broader Apple Intelligence initiative.
Apple’s cautious approach stands in stark contrast to competitors like Amazon and Google, both of which have aggressively pushed smart displays and assistants into the mainstream. Devices like the Echo Show and Google Nest Hub already offer deep integrations with voice AI, and while they come with their own limitations, they’re widely regarded as mature products in the space. Apple, by delaying its offering, is essentially betting on long-term excellence over short-term market share.
The AI foundation for the Home Hub is tied to Apple’s broader software roadmap, particularly the rollout of iOS 19. Originally, elements of Apple Intelligence were expected to ship with iOS 18.4, enabling limited Siri enhancements across the ecosystem. But as reliability concerns mounted and internal benchmarks fell short, the timeline was adjusted. Now, Apple plans to debut the full range of Siri’s contextual capabilities—including advanced app intents and conversation memory—alongside iOS 19 in the fall of 2026.
While the company has not officially confirmed the delay, it has hinted at its rationale through developer briefings and muted announcements during recent WWDC events. Sources within Apple say the company prefers to delay a product rather than risk user frustration with a half-baked AI experience. Given the elevated expectations surrounding Apple’s entry into the AI-powered smart home market, this cautiousness appears to be a deliberate and strategic move.
Interestingly, the J490 smart hub may only be the beginning. Reports suggest Apple is also working on an even more advanced version of the device, codenamed “J595,” which could feature robotic elements such as a motorized arm or rotating display. However, such hardware remains speculative and likely several years away from any commercial release. For now, Apple’s attention is squarely focused on getting Siri’s AI right before committing to a public rollout.
The delay is sure to disappoint some Apple enthusiasts who have been waiting for a more cohesive and elegant smart home solution. However, it also highlights the company’s recognition of how vital AI has become—not just as a feature, but as the foundation for user experience across devices. A smart display that can’t respond fluidly to voice commands or understand user context risks becoming another screen in the house rather than a meaningful assistant.
As Apple races to close the AI gap with its rivals, its strategy may ultimately pay off. A smart home hub powered by a truly intelligent Siri could redefine the category, offering privacy-focused, tightly integrated functionality in a way that aligns with Apple’s broader ecosystem. But until the software is ready, the hardware will wait.
In the end, Apple’s decision to postpone the Home Hub underlines the company’s philosophy: the product must be exceptional, not just functional. The smart home space is rapidly evolving, and Apple’s long game may yet prove the wiser one—if it can deliver the AI experience it’s promising by 2026.
