According to the latest news from well-known whistleblower and prototype collector "Kosutami", Apple's long-rumored smart home hub device "HomePad" will be postponed to the fall of 2026, later than expected.
In a post on the X platform, Kosutami said the device will be available during the fall period from September to December, which is typically Apple's busiest product release window of the year.
Apple has been developing this device for several years, aiming to create a smart home control center through which users can manage home products, play music and podcasts, make video calls, and check real-time information such as weather and calendar.
The device is expected to feature a 7-inch square display and a front-facing camera, and may come in two versions: a wall-mounted version and a desktop model with a HomePod mini-like speaker base.
Built-in sensors can detect nearby people and adjust the display based on their identity. It will rely heavily on Siri voice commands, and Siri may present an anthropomorphic interface on the device, such as a variant design of the Mac Finder icon.
Apple expects the price to be around $350. The device was originally planned to be released in early 2025, but was later moved to early 2026 due to Apple Intelligence development delays. Now it has been further pushed to the fall, and may be unveiled together with the iPhone 18 Pro or the new MacBook Pro.