Apple Might Delay Its Rumored New Smart Home Hub Until Next Year

Apple's rumored smart home hub command center may be delayed until 2026 due to engineering challenges with the revamped Siri. The primary issue is related to perfecting the voice assistant that will heavily control the device. Initial plans aimed for a release around the iPhone 17 launch, but these plans are now uncertain. Testing continues within Apple and employees' homes despite the delay. This smart home hub is being compared to Google's Nest Hub, not expected to significantly boost revenue. It's considered a foundation for more advanced products in the future, such as a device with AI personality and a robotic arm. The follow-up device, codenamed J595, is already in development. The delay aligns with Apple's announcement that a more personalized Siri needs more development time. The features for the personalized Siri are anticipated to be ready between September 2025 and March 2026.