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Apple has prepared a new device for the smart home, however, its premiere has been postponed once again. According to the latest reports, the hardware is already ready for production, but the company is delaying its debut due to unpolished artificial intelligence software. The new device is set to go on sale only in autumn 2026. The project, internally known as J490, is intended to be Apple's first dedicated screen for controlling the smart home. The device is 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 cause of the delay is the development of a new generation of Siri within the Apple Intelligence platform. The company has been working for some time on enhancing the assistant with features based on modern AI models; however, integrating new technologies with the existing system architecture proves to be more challenging than initially anticipated. Apple engineers are still working on the stability of features such as screen context understanding and more natural communication with users. In many beta versions of the iOS system, some of the announced AI features have not appeared at all, which suggests that the technology is still not ready for widespread deployment. According to industry information, Apple is also considering expanding its collaboration with Google, which would allow more complex queries to be handled by Gemini models when Siri is unable to provide answers on its own.
The history of the project shows how much Apple’s plans for the new device have changed. Originally, it was supposed to debut as early as 2025. The company then postponed the launch to the first half of 2026, tying it to a major update of the iOS system. Currently, the most realistic timeframe appears to be autumn 2026, when the next generation of Apple software with enhanced 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 not planned until 2027.
How the Apple Home Screen Should Look
According to available information, the new Apple device will resemble a small tablet with approximately a 7-inch touchscreen housed in an aluminium casing. The device is designed to be mounted on a wall or placed on a special stand with a built-in speaker. It will feature a camera that allows for video calls and recognises household members. The system is expected to automatically tailor the displayed information to the person standing in front of the screen, for example, 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 indicates that Apple is still catching up with competitors 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 ChooseTV ecosystem, it will be able to create a more coherent and secure environment for users.
Although the hardware project for Apple's home screen is already ready, the company does not want to release the device without refined software. Everything suggests that only the development of the new generation of Siri and Apple Intelligence features will allow for the full utilisation of this hardware's capabilities. If the work on AI goes according to plan, the intelligent Apple screen may hit the market as early as autumn 2026.
source: Bloomberg (Mark Gurman), MacRumors, The Verge
