Apple Smart Home "Major Reshuffle": Siri AI New Device Planned for Launch This Fall, Apple TV and HomePod mini Ready to Go

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Apple is ramping up its efforts in smart home technology, making the upgraded Siri AI the core of its new hardware strategy, in an attempt to directly challenge the markets long dominated by Amazon and Google.

On July 28, Bloomberg quoted sources as saying that Apple is close to completing the development of three new smart home products, including its first smart home hub device centered on the new Siri AI, as well as a new generation Apple TV and HomePod mini.

The new Apple TV and HomePod mini are expected to launch this fall, while the smart home hub device is planned to be released between October this year and early next year. Boosted by this news, Apple’s shares rose as much as 1.8% on Tuesday, reaching $342.89, and the company’s market value broke $5 trillion for the first time.

This is Apple’s largest product expansion in the smart home sector in recent years. As generative AI accelerates its penetration into home scenarios, Apple hopes to use Siri AI to reshape the smart home device experience, directly competing with Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub, and cultivate new growth engines for its slowing wearables and accessories business.

Home Hub: Facial Recognition Drives Personalized Experience

The most anticipated is Apple's first home hub device.

This device is equipped with an approximately 7-inch square display, with a new operating system built on tvOS for Apple TV. The interface blends the design languages of tvOS, watchOS, and iOS, offering interaction methods such as icon grids, widgets, and applications. Features include FaceTime video calls, home security monitoring, multi-device intercom, integrated smart home controls, photo browsing, calendar management, music playback, and a personalized watch face experience similar to Apple Watch.

The main differentiating feature compared to existing smart displays is its facial recognition capability. The system can identify the user in front of the screen and their distance from the device in real time, dynamically adjusting interface layout, font size, and displayed content, and automatically loading the corresponding user’s calendar, reminders, and other personalized information.

Sources say there are currently two versions of this product. The version internally coded J490 features a screen mounted on a hemispherical base, resembling a “cut” HomePod mini; the other, coded J491, can be mounted on a wall via a horizontal bracket. Apple envisions users deploying multiple such devices in different rooms to form an integrated home interaction network.

Software Delays Slow Hardware Launch

Reportedly, development of the three products started as early as 2024. Apple originally planned to launch them alongside a fully reconstructed Siri, but the new Siri’s progress has repeatedly been hindered, forcing adjustments to the product roadmap.

Ultimately, the new assistant will be branded as “Siri AI” and officially launched alongside iOS 27 this fall.

Due to software development delays, hardware releases have also been postponed several times: from a 2024 launch, then adjusted to spring 2025, fall 2025, and finally to spring 2026. Apple has repeatedly revised its timetable. Sources also note that because these devices rely heavily on Siri AI for their core experience, software and hardware cannot be split for separate launch, so further delays remain theoretically possible.

Meanwhile, the new Apple TV and HomePod mini (internal codes J265 and B525, respectively) will retain their current design, mainly upgrading to faster processors and adding Siri AI support. Sources say they are expected to be priced at $199 and $129 respectively.

Robot Hub and Security Camera Also in Planning

In addition to the upcoming three products, Apple is also planning at least two higher-end smart home devices.

One is a robot-version home hub equipped with a mechanical arm, featuring a larger, approximately 9-inch screen. The mechanical arm allows the display to automatically follow user movement. For example, during FaceTime video calls, the device can automatically adjust the camera angle to keep the person centered or track other objects in the room.

The other is a high-end indoor security camera, internally coded J450, along with a home security system targeting Amazon’s Ring, the leader in the home security market.

With the home hub, Apple TV, HomePod mini, robotic devices, and security products all in the pipeline, Apple is rebuilding its smart home ecosystem around Siri AI. This is the first time in recent years that Apple’s smart home strategy is centered on AI capabilities rather than single hardware products, making a systematic layout for the home scenario.

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