Appleโs highly anticipated smart home hub has been delayed due to challenges with upgrading Siriโs capabilities. The company had previously promised a โmore personalisedโ version of its voice assistant, but it now says these improvements will take longer than expected.
Siri upgrade delay pushes back smart home hub launch
In a recent statement, Apple confirmed that its planned Siri upgrades, part of a broader artificial intelligence initiative called Apple Intelligence, will not be available as soon as initially planned. The company expects to roll out these enhancements โin the coming year.โ
According to Bloombergโs Mark Gurman, this delay has also affected the launch of Appleโs smart home hub. The device was initially expected to be released as soon as March 2025, but it now faces an uncertain timeline.
What to expect from Appleโs smart home hub
The upcoming smart home hub is expected to feature a six-inch touchscreen that can be mounted on the wall. It supports video calls, manages smart home devices, and primarily functions through voice commands. However, the delay has put its launch on hold since the hub relies on the new Siri features.
Despite this setback, Apple has reportedly begun internal testing of the device. Employees can now take it home to provide feedback, indicating that development is progressing.
While Apple has not provided a new release date, the delay suggests the company is prioritising improvements to Siri before launching the hub.