It was late in 2024 when we first heard rumors of a new HomeKit device that would essentially blend a HomePod and iPad, and serve it atop an AI software platter. It was later reported that Apple is developing two versions of this device, and one of them could arrive in 2025.
It seems those plans have been pushed further into the future, thanks in no part to Apple’s struggles with AI development. “At one point, the company had hoped to announce this product in March. But because the device, to an extent, relies on the delayed Siri capabilities, it has been postponed as well,” says a Bloomberg report.
Currently in development under the codename “J490,” the device is said to resemble a wall tablet that will also serve as a showcase for Apple Intelligence. It is unclear how long the delay runs, but if Apple’s updated plans for a next-gen Siri release are anything to go by, the device could possibly launch next year to avoid any further bad press.
The delay seems squarely tied to advanced voice interactions and how Siri will get tasks done across different apps. “The hardware was designed around App Intents, a system that lets AI precisely control applications and tasks, which is set to debut in the coming months,” Bloomberg reported in November last year.
Apple is yet to release the App Intent system, which allows Siri to integrate deeply with in-house as well as third-party apps, and execute tasks using voice commands. The idea is not too different from Gemini extensions, which allows Google’s AI assistant to not only interact with apps such as Gmail and Docs, but also third-party apps such as Spotify.
The app intent system is one of the most conspicuous delays in the Siri armory, alongside advanced natural language conversation capabilities. These features are expected to arrive next year, and it seems the delayed rollout plan for Siri’s next-gen avatar with the aforementioned features has also pushed the smart home hub.
On a positive note, Apple is said to have reached advanced levels of testing and is allowing a select few employees to take it home for sourcing feedback. The smart home device reportedly features a 6-inch screen and looks like a square-ish iPad. It has a front-facing camera, speakers, and a built-in battery.
The big draw is going to be its appeal as a centralized command center for controlling all connected smart home devices. It will also offer an intercom system, while FaceTime will enable a video feed for face-to-face communication.
The device could be priced in the $130-230 ballpark to compete with rival products from the likes of Amazo and Google’s Nest. Talking about Amazon, it recently unveiled an astonishingly upgraded AI assistant called Alexa+ turbocharged by generative AI capabilities, and will soon launch a fresh slate of smart home devices, as well.
Samsung was one of the first smartphone makers to go all-in with AI, thanks to the Galaxy AI stack. The Galaxy flagships didn’t only ship the usual Ge
Next time you dive into Yelp to look for restaurants or other places to go, you might see some of your previously posted content turning up in the app
When you’re playing around with ChatGPT or Gemini for the first time, it’s easy to just toss in a quick, simple prompt and see what happens.“What can
Imagine a tool that takes an image of whatever appears on your computer’s screen, saves it locally, and lets you access it all like a time machine. A
If you have a regular subscription, you’re likely well-versed in the dance of paying for something and wondering if it’s worth the value. For many peo
Machine learning platform, Hugging Face, has released an iOS app that will make sense of the world around you as seen by your iPhone’s camera. Just po
Google is finally bringing a crucial new feature to Gemini that will solve a key pain point of interacting with its AI chatbot. The company is enablin
Elon Musk has thrown his hat into the already crowded AI ring with Grok, a conversational AI designed to challenge both the likes of ChatGPT and Midjo
We are a comprehensive and trusted information platform dedicated to delivering high-quality content across a wide range of topics, including society, technology, business, health, culture, and entertainment.
From breaking news to in-depth reports, we adhere to the principles of accuracy and diverse perspectives, helping readers find clarity and reliability in today’s fast-paced information landscape.
Our goal is to be a dependable source of knowledge for every reader—making information not only accessible but truly trustworthy. Looking ahead, we will continue to enhance our content and services, connecting the world and delivering value.
