The Siri-powered ‘HomePad’ smart speaker reportedly delayed again
Apple's AI-powered smart display won't be here until later this year, a well-connected Apple reporter says
Apple still isn’t ready to launch its AI-infused smart display and won’t be until late 2026 according to a new report.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple’s noted struggles to get its AI house in order – mainly through the revamped Siri assistant it has now enlisted Google to help with – has caused the latest delay with the device likened to a HomePod and iPad hybrid.
According to Gurman, Apple is now looking at September 2026 for the launch of the smart home device thought to be the first of an aggressive wave of smart home products that’ll eventually build to the launch of a robotic device that follows owners around their domicile.
Bloomberg reports that Apple had hoped to announce the product as soon as this month, alongside the wave of products we saw arrive last week, such as the new MacBook Neo. Originally, Apple had promised its newly revamped conversational Siri would be ready for the spring of 2026. And that’s clearly not the case and appears to be holding up its hardware plans.
Now we’re looking at WWDC this summer for the earliest for the launch of the Gemini-empowered Siri that would have to power such a device, in order for it to be a noted improvement on the current state of affairs. The update may not reach consumers until autumn this year, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro range. Considering this device has reportedly been on-deck since 2022, it’s becoming quite the odyssey.
Apple has always operated under the edict that it’s better be best than first, but the years-long delay in getting its AI house in order have threatened its position at the top of the tech tree and left it at the mercy of the providers who’re racing to lead the future beyond hardware.
Personally, I’m pretty thrilled than I’m able to use my Apple gadgets without having AI shoved in my face when I certainly didn’t ask for it as a feature and only see it as a way to demean art and detract from hard-earned honed talents. So, the longer Apple is behind in the AI race, the happier I’ll be.
Chris Smith
