Apple will release the HomePad smart home hub as an iPad on a stand later than expected

The Apple HomePad device, which will become the control center for a smart home, will be released later than expected, said Bloomberg columnist Mark Gurman. Last year, Bloomberg reported in November that the HomePad was expected to launch in March 2025.

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According to Gurman, Apple did plan to unveil the smart home hub, which would be a sort of stationary iPad on a stand, in March, but it may take longer for it to become available to consumers, due in part to repeated delays release of Apple Intelligence.

«The device’s new operating system, codenamed Pebble, is closely tied to the App Intents features that will appear in iOS 18.4 and iOS 19, so it is likely that the hardware itself will be delivered a little later,” the journalist explained. He previously said that the HomePad can be mounted on a wall or placed on a stand.

The HomePad is expected to feature a 7-inch square display with a wide frame and a camera at the top. The control panel is made in StandBy style. The device runs homeOS with support for Apple Intelligence and many Apple apps, including FaceTime. HomePad also offers the ability to conveniently control a smart home.

Gurman said Apple is also preparing its own line of smart home accessories, starting with a Face ID-enabled doorbell and a more private security camera. In addition, Apple plans to launch a smart assistant based on LLM Siri, similar to a chatbot, in 2026 with iOS 19.4.