Apple’s long-rumored smart home hub may finally launch later this year, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The product, which has been delayed several times, was initially expected to debut in the spring but has faced numerous issues.
The smart home hub is reported to have a 7-inch square display with a thick bezel and a camera at the top. It will feature Apple Intelligence support, allowing users to control their smart home devices using Siri commands. The device also comes equipped with a rechargeable built-in battery and a new operating system called homeOS.
One of the main reasons for the delay was technical challenges related to Apple’s failed AI push. However, recent internal testing by select employees has provided valuable insights into the product’s capabilities. If launched by the end of the year, this would be a welcome development, as previous reports suggested it might not arrive until 2026.
In addition to the smart home hub, Apple is also working on a more advanced robotic smart home display with a robotic arm and unique AI personality. While this product has been delayed, Gurman describes it as a “major priority at Apple” but notes that its launch will be pushed forward by at least a year, possibly even two.
The company may need to remove some features from the robotic display to meet the revised timeline, with these potentially returning in future hardware upgrades. The exact details of this product remain unknown for now, but it is expected to bring significant improvements to Apple’s smart home offerings.
Source: https://9to5mac.com/2025/05/25/apple-homepad-launch-by-end-of-year-report