Apple rumoured to release top secret new gadget ‘by the end of this year' – here's everything we know so far
Rumours about the fabled device have been circulating since 2022.
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But a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggests Apple could be releasing its long-awaited smart home hub before the end of 2025.
The product was expected to rely heavily on Apple Intelligence - Apple's package of artificial intelligence (AI) powered features.
However, a delay to some of the more advanced features inside Apple Intelligence - such as a smarter Siri - has pushed back the announcement of the smart home hub, Gurman previously reported.
Apple has been working on making Siri understand queries based on personal context - for example, "What time does dad's train get in?'
In a statement to Daring Fireball, Apple said: "We've also been working on a more personalised Siri, giving it more awareness of your personal context, as well as the ability to take action for you within and across your apps.
"It's going to take us longer than we thought to deliver on these features and we anticipate rolling them out in the coming year."
It's likely, therefore, that the secretive gadget could be released around the same time as the super-smart Siri later this year.
While Apple has said very little about the smart home hub, here's everything we've heard so far:
Apple Home Hub
Apple's smart hub is expected to mirror rivals, like Amazon's Echo Hub, in style with a 7inch square display and thick bezel (the frame that goes around the screen).
Rumours suggest it could be like a HomePod and iPad combined - with a starting price of $1,000 (£738).
Apple shows you tips and tricks on the new Iphone 16e with Apple Intelligence
It's reported to have a camera at the top, with a heavy focus on video apps like FaceTime.
Other Apple apps, including Apple TV, Apple Music and Photos, may also feature.
It will also adopt a new operating system, dubbed homeOS, according to reports.
The Apple hub is designed to control other smart home gadgets.
Consumers should be able to move it around the house as they please, with Apple expected to build in a rechargeable battery.
Apple is reportedly planning a more advanced smart home display with a robotic arm for the future.
This one-armed bot will apparently have a "unique AI personality," according to reports.
However, that product has also been subject to delays.
According to Gurman, this product will launch a "year or two later".
To meet this release window, Apple will reportedly ditch some of its "bolder features".
But those features could be pushed back to later models instead.
APPLE TV SIRI TRICKS
Apple has revealed some clever Siri commands you can try with your Apple TV...
Navigation:
'Open App Store'
'Launch Paramount+'
'Play PBS KIDS Video'
'Go to Photos'
Playback:
'Pause this'
'Play from the beginning'
'Skip forward 90 seconds'
'Jump back 10 minutes'
'Turn on closed captioning'
'Turn on French subtitles'
'What did she just say?'
Information:
'Who stars in this?'
'Who directed this?'
'What's this rated?'
'When was this released?'
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