Why Apple’s New Home Hub Is Facing Delays

Why Apple’s New Home Hub Is Facing Delays

Apple’s long-rumored home hub, often described as a HomePod with a screen, was expected to make a major splash in 2025. However, fans of the Apple smart home ecosystem are now wondering: why is the Apple home hub delayed? According to reliable sources including Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the device’s postponement stems from deeper software dependencies—mainly involving Siri personalization and App Intents updates. These crucial features are still in development and are reportedly required for the smart hub to function as intended. As a result, the Apple home hub release date has been pushed to sometime in 2026.

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Apple has ambitious plans for its home automation lineup, and this device is supposed to be central to that strategy. But without the foundational upgrades to Siri and Apple Intelligence, the new home hub simply isn’t ready for public release. Here’s a breakdown of what’s causing the delay and what consumers can expect from Apple’s future smart home experience.

Dependence on Siri Personalization Delays Apple Home Hub

One of the key reasons why the Apple home hub is delayed is its deep integration with the next generation of personalized Siri. Unlike the current Siri experience, which provides mostly generalized responses and commands, the new iteration aims to deliver a more tailored and context-aware interaction. Think of a Siri that knows your habits, your frequently used apps, and your preferred automation routines—and responds accordingly.

This version of Siri, however, has been delayed itself. Apple has invested heavily in Apple Intelligence, its AI framework designed to run on-device using the new A18 chip. The personalized Siri experience is a central component of this. Because the home hub relies on this enhanced AI assistant to offer a seamless smart home experience, it cannot launch without it. Until Apple finalizes and launches this updated Siri version—expected sometime in 2025—the home hub remains in limbo.

Moreover, Apple seems intent on avoiding the rushed releases seen with other smart devices in the market. Instead, the company is taking its time to ensure that all the interconnected features work in harmony before launching a product that’s meant to anchor the Apple smart home.

App Intents Integration Adds Another Layer of Complexity

Another technical roadblock affecting the home hub launch involves App Intents—Apple’s under-the-hood framework that allows Siri and other system features to interact with third-party apps in a more intelligent, command-specific way. App Intents essentially power the voice-based control mechanisms that the home hub would use to manage smart accessories, trigger routines, or even perform app-specific tasks like playing music, streaming videos, or initiating FaceTime calls.

According to Gurman’s report, the version of App Intents needed to support this advanced level of smart home control is still under development. Without this, Siri cannot fully control apps on the home hub in the precise, voice-driven way Apple envisions. In practical terms, this would leave users with a limited or unreliable smart home interface, which is far from the seamless experience Apple aims to deliver.

This dependency highlights Apple’s broader approach to building foundational software first—especially when hardware heavily depends on it. The integration between Siri, App Intents, and the Apple home hub must be airtight before the product can go to market. Until these systems are stable and user-ready, the launch will continue to be postponed.

What to Expect from Apple’s Smart Home Hub in 2026

Despite the delays, Apple’s home hub is shaping up to be a powerful addition to its ecosystem. Often dubbed the HomePod with a screen, the device is expected to feature a 6- to 7-inch square display, allowing users to view and control smart home devices, make FaceTime calls, and more. It could also double as a home security center with support for Apple-designed smart home cameras and sensors.

Apple is reportedly equipping the home hub with the A18 chip—the same silicon powering its next-gen iPhones and iPads—which enables advanced AI processing on-device through Apple Intelligence. This focus on on-device intelligence ensures better performance, stronger privacy, and deeper Siri integration. Additionally, the hub is designed for flexibility: it can sit on a speaker base or be wall-mounted, allowing it to fit seamlessly into various home environments.

The device's delayed arrival may actually work in its favor. By 2026, Apple Intelligence will likely be rolled out across more devices, Siri personalization will be fully functional, and App Intents will have matured. This means the smart hub can launch with full feature support, robust integration, and possibly a wider range of HomeKit-compatible accessories. Apple’s strategy, while slow, is centered on delivering a polished, high-quality user experience right out of the box.

Why the Delay Might Be a Good Thing

Delays are rarely welcomed in tech—but for Apple, the decision to postpone its smart home hub may be a calculated move to ensure that everything simply works. By waiting until Siri personalization and App Intents are fully optimized, Apple avoids releasing a half-baked product that could tarnish its reputation in the smart home space. Instead, it sets the stage for a unified smart home platform—backed by a powerful AI assistant, real-time app control, and a user interface designed for simplicity and privacy.

As we look ahead to 2026, Apple enthusiasts can expect a home hub that isn’t just a display slapped onto a speaker but a thoughtfully engineered centerpiece for the smart home of the future. Whether you're managing lights, locking doors, or checking the baby monitor, the Apple home hub is being built to handle it all—on your terms, with your preferences in mind.

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