Apple is working on a new version of the HomePod, which will be smarter than the current iteration. The company aims to bring its smart AI features to all of its products, and the HomePod is the only remaining device that ships with a standard version of Siri. To tackle this, Apple is planning to introduce a new version of the HomePod, which will feature a display for the smart home hub, and it is now being speculated that the device will enter mass production later this year after the WWDC event.
Apple’s rumoured smart home hub to enter mass production in the third quarter of this year, but launch remains a mystery
According to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple will begin mass-producing the smart home hub in the third quarter of 2025. If you are not familiar with the device, the hub is rumored to feature a screen on speakers resembling the current iteration of the HomePod. The iPad-like display will be square in contrast to a rectangular design, which would set it apart from the existing products.
If the news has any heft to it, we can expect Apple’s smart home hub to enter the mass production stage soon after the company is done with its WWDC event in June, where it will see fit to announce iOS 19 and a plethora of other updates. It was previously reported that the smart home hub would be mass-produced in January of this year, but it looks like the company is facing developmental challenges.
It was recently noted that Apple is having software development issues, which is why it has delayed the highly anticipated Siri experience to next year. Moreover, a handful of AI features in iOS 19 have also been delayed until 2026, which only goes on to show that Apple has been left behind in the AI race in the industry. Companies like OpenAI and Google are gradually picking up the pace and introducing advanced versions of their generative AI technology, and Apple is finding itself under a lot of pressure.
Apple’s gradual rollout of AI features is the reason why it is delaying the launch of its smart home hub, as the product will be built around Apple Intelligence. Kuo also states that another reason for the delay is that the company wants to align the interface of the software update with the forthcoming software updates, including iOS 19.
Apple is rumored to completely revamp iOS 19 with a design inspired by visionOS. This means that we will see a lot of translucent windows and panels across the operating system, and Mark Gurman from Bloomberg claims that it will be an even bigger update than iOS 7. As for the smart home hub, Apple will equip the device with a 6 or 7-inch display and an A18 chip, the same SoC that powers the current iPhone 16 lineup.
The smart home hub will allow users to control all of their accessories that feature support for HomeKit. It will also be able to make FaceTime video calls with a camera on top, along with an intercom feature between rooms, and much more. The device will also pair with the company’s custom home security camera, which will compete against major contenders in the industry. It remains to be seen if Apple will launch the device later this year or in 2026. There is also a possibility that the company will further delay the product based on the current trend.
Image Credits: theapplehub
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