Apple’s Nest Hub rival may be delayed as Siri review drags on

Apple fans may have been eagerly awaiting its long-rumored smart home display, which could rival devices like the Google Nest Center or Amazon Echo Show. Those fans may need to prepare for some bad news, as a new report suggests the device has been delayed again as Apple continues to work on a major Siri overhaul.

According Bloomberg Mark GurmanApple has delayed the launch of its smart home display, codenamed J490, because the next generation version of Siriwhich is expected to drive much of the experience, is not yet ready. The device was expected to arrive imminently, but Apple is now said to be targeting a launch closer to September.

tThe hardware itself has reportedly been finished for several months, but Apple doesn’t want to ship the device without the improved Siri experience. Siri is at the center of Apple’s broader artificial intelligence strategy, and the company has already rejected several promised features tied to the assistant.

The screen is described as a square, iPad type device with an approximately 7-inch screen that can be mounted on a wall or attached to a half-dome speaker base. It is designed to act as a hub for controlling smart home devices and accessing information around the house, and reportedly includes facial recognition that can identify who is approaching and display personalized details such as calendar appointments and music preferences.

The device is expected to be the first in a broader push toward smart home hardware. Bloomberg reports that Apple is also working on additional products related to its AI efforts, including a version of the display connected to a robotic arm, along with new HomePod and Apple TV hardware.

Apple is now reportedly aiming to have the revamped Siri ready when it launches the iPhone 18 Pro later this year. If that schedule holds, the smart display could arrive around the same period, potentially running a variation of the next version of tvOS expected in September.