April 8, 2025 – Apple’s highly anticipated next-generation smart home hub, initially slated for a 2025 launch, now faces potential delays extending into 2026, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter. The device, internally codenamed J490, was positioned as a voice-centric control center leveraging an upgraded Siri interface and App Intents technology—a combination that has encountered “significant engineering hurdles,” Gurman reports.
Originally expected to debut alongside the iPhone 17 series in September 2025, the hub’s development timeline has shifted due to Siri’s integration challenges. Despite the setback, Apple’s internal testing remains ongoing, with both lab evaluations at Apple Park and real-world trials by employees aimed at refining the product’s functionality.
Gurman contrasts the J490 with Google’s Nest Hub, suggesting it may not drive immediate revenue growth but could serve as a foundational step toward more ambitious Apple offerings. A follow-up device, codenamed J595, is already in development, promising innovations such as AI-driven personalization, additional sensors, and a motorized arm capable of adjusting screen positioning across surfaces like desks or kitchen counters.
This delay aligns with Apple’s broader commitment to refining its personalized Siri features, first previewed at WWDC 2024. While initially promised to roll out “within the next year,” Gurman speculates these enhancements could arrive as late as iOS 19.4 in March 2026, underscoring Apple’s focus on stability over speed in its AI-driven product roadmap.
