Apple's smart home robot could be delayed until 2028
Apple has reportedly pushed back the launch of its rumored smart home robot until next year at the earliest, possibly 2028, according to The Information. The hardware is said to be finished, but the software is not.
Apple, the US consumer electronics company, has reportedly delayed the launch of its rumored tabletop smart home robot until next year at the earliest, and possibly until 2028. The report comes from the tech outlet The Information. The device has not been officially announced, so the delay means shoppers will wait longer for Apple's entry in this product category.
According to the publication, the robot's hardware has been finished for around two years, but the software is not ready. The software team has reportedly pushed for a delay. It also attempted to strip back some proposed features and focus the product on a few capabilities tied to FaceTime, Apple's video calling service, and automating home tasks, such as switching on a light.
Name and price
The device is codenamed J595. Former Apple employees predict it will be called the "HomeView Ultra", following the new HomeView smart display that launched last month. The robot may cost significantly more than the HomeView, at around $1,000 and potentially more, depending on price increases for RAM and other components.
Design and features
Mark Gurman of Bloomberg reported in 2024 that the robot could have a stationary, tabletop design resembling Pixar's famous lamp. The Information says it will have a nine-inch display that swivels on a robotic arm, along with cameras and sensors for tasks such as following the user around during a FaceTime call.
