Overview
- The smart home screen’s debut has reportedly moved from March to September 2026 to align with the next major iOS release and the iPhone 18 launch window.
- The postponement is attributed to the upgraded, AI‑driven Siri not being ready, with the rollout shifting internally from iOS 26.4 toward 26.5 or iOS 27 after test setbacks.
- Hardware is said to be largely finished, featuring a 7‑inch square display that attaches to a speaker base or wall mount, Face ID for personalized profiles, and a watch‑style icon grid on a tvOS/homeOS variant.
- The assistant overhaul reportedly draws on an Apple–Google arrangement to use Gemini models and Google cloud services to bolster Siri’s capabilities.
- The device, internally codenamed J490, is framed as the first in a home lineup, with reports pointing to a 9‑inch robotic‑arm version in 2027 and work on a screenless HomePod, an updated Apple TV, AR glasses, and new AirPods.