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Apple has prepared a new device for the smart home, however its launch has been postponed again. According to the latest reports, the hardware is already ready for production, but the company is delaying its debut due to underdeveloped artificial intelligence-based software. The new device is set to go on sale only in autumn 2026. The project, internally known as J490, is to be Apple’s first dedicated screen for controlling the smart home in its history. The device is intended to serve as a central management panel for the entire ecosystem of home devices from lighting and locks to calendars and video calls.
The biggest problem remains Siri
The main reason for the delay is the development of the new generation of Siri within the Apple Intelligence platform. The company has been working for some time on expanding the assistant with features based on modern AI models, but integrating new technologies with the existing system architecture is proving to be more challenging than initially expected. Apple engineers are still working on the stability of features such as understanding on-screen context and more natural communication with users. In many beta versions of the iOS system, some of the announced AI features did not appear at all, suggesting that the technology is still not ready for widespread deployment. According to industry information, Apple is also considering expanding collaboration with Google, which would allow more complicated queries to be handled by Gemini models when Siri is unable to respond independently.
The history of the project shows how much Apple's plans for the new device have changed. Originally, its debut was to take place as early as 2025. The company then pushed the launch to the first half of 2026, linking it to a major iOS update. Currently, the most realistic timeframe seems to be autumn 2026, when the next generation of Apple software with advanced AI features will debut. At the same time, Apple is also working on a more advanced version of the device with a movable arm and additional features, but its launch is planned for 2027.
How the Apple home screen should look
According to available information, the new Apple device will resemble a small tablet with a 7-inch touchscreen housed in an aluminium casing. The device can be mounted on the wall or placed on a special stand with a built-in speaker. It will feature a camera that allows for video calls and recognising household members. The system is expected to automatically tailor the displayed information to the person standing in front of the screen, such as showing their calendar, reminders, or messages. The interface will be based on a modified version of tvOS, with a strong emphasis on widgets and quick access to smart home control functions.
The delay of the new device shows that Apple is still catching up to the competition in the field of artificial intelligence. Companies like Google and Amazon have been developing their smart home platforms for years, offering advanced home screens and voice assistants. However, Apple hopes that by integrating new AI technologies with the Apple Intelligence ecosystem, it will create a more cohesive and secure environment for users.
Although the hardware design of Apple's home screen is ready, the company does not want to release the device without polished software. Everything suggests that the development of the new generation of Siri and Apple Intelligence features will enable the full capabilities of this hardware. If the work on AI goes according to plan, the Apple smart screen may go on sale as early as autumn 2026.
source: Bloomberg (Mark Gurman), MacRumors, The Verge
