Apple's smart home hub delayed by 18 months
Apple's new smart home hub, code-named J490, will not be arriving until around September 2026, roughly 18 months later.
The hold-up? Apple needs more time to finish its next-generation Siri, according to people familiar with the matter.
Design and display
J490 features a square build with a 7-inch display (think: about two iPhones wide), a FaceTime camera that may support Face ID, and built-in speakers.
You can hang it on your wall or just pop it on a desk.
OS and cost
Running on an Apple system chip and powered by "Apple Intelligence," J490 uses an OS codenamed Pebble (other reporting has referenced a home-OS codename "Charismatic"), which mixes StandBy and watchOS vibes.
It will likely cost $350, higher than many Amazon Echo Show models, and works smoothly with HomeKit.
Competing with Google, Amazon
J490 is set to take on Google Pixel Tablet and Amazon's Echo Show devices but has some cool tricks: proximity sensors that change what you see based on how close you are, plus facial recognition to switch profiles for personalized calendars, lights, or other HomeKit controls.
If you are already in the Apple ecosystem, this could make your smart home feel even smarter.