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Apple’s rumored smart home robot may not launch until 2027 at the earliest, and could be delayed until 2028, The Information reports. The device’s hardware is said to have been finished for about two years, but its software team reportedly wants more time to narrow and complete the product’s features. Apple has not confirmed the device, its name, price or launch schedule.
Apple’s rumored smart home robot may not reach customers until 2027 at the earliest, and could be delayed until 2028, according to a report by The Information. The report says the device’s hardware has been finished for about two years, while software work remains incomplete; Apple has not announced the product or confirmed a release date.
The Information reports that the robot’s software team has pushed to delay its release and tried to reduce the proposed feature set. The team reportedly wants to focus on a smaller group of functions, including FaceTime and automating household tasks such as turning on a light. The report does not specify what software remains unfinished or how much work is needed before the device could ship.
The device is reportedly known internally by the codename J595. The Information says former Apple employees expect it could be called HomeView Ultra, following the name of a HomeView smart display that the source says launched last month. That suggested retail name is speculation, not a confirmed Apple product name.
The robot may have a 9-inch display mounted on a swiveling robotic arm, with cameras and sensors that could let it follow a person during a FaceTime call, according to The Information. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman described a possible stationary tabletop design in 2024 as resembling Pixar’s famous lamp. The Information also puts the possible price at around $1,000 or more, while noting that component costs could affect the price. Apple has not confirmed these specifications or pricing.
A Software Delay Could Reset the Launch
The reported delay points to a gap between having a device’s hardware ready and having its core functions work well enough for release. If the software team is still narrowing the product around video calls and home automation, Apple may be weighing whether the robot can deliver a coherent set of everyday uses rather than launching with features that are not ready.
A later release would also leave more time before buyers can judge whether a moving display offers enough value over a standard smart display. The reported price of about $1,000 or more would make that comparison particularly relevant, although the price is not confirmed. For now, readers should treat the device’s design, capabilities, name and schedule as reported details rather than a product announcement.
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From Home Display to Robot
The Information’s report describes the robot as part of Apple’s reported work on smart home devices. The possible HomeView Ultra name connects it to a HomeView smart display that the source says launched last month, but that connection does not confirm that Apple plans to sell a robot under that name.
In 2024, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple was considering a stationary tabletop device with a lamp-like form. The newer account from The Information adds details about a swiveling display, cameras and sensors, while also reporting that software readiness is holding back the launch. These descriptions come from reporting about an unannounced product; Apple has not publicly established the device’s final design or scope.
“The robot’s hardware “has been finished for around two years.””
— The Information, as quoted in The Verge
Launch Date and Features Remain Unconfirmed
Apple has not publicly confirmed that it is developing this robot, so the reported 2027-or-2028 timeframe is not an official schedule. The Information’s account does not establish whether the delay is final, whether the device will be canceled, or when Apple might make a decision about release.
Other key details are also unsettled: the final name, retail price, display and arm design, camera functions, and the features available at launch. The reported estimate of about $1,000 or more is not an announced price, and no confirmed explanation links possible component-cost changes to a specific final cost.
Watch for Apple’s Product Plans
The next concrete milestone would be an announcement from Apple confirming the device, its purpose or its release schedule. Until then, the reported delay and specifications remain attributed to The Information and earlier Bloomberg reporting, rather than verified product details from Apple.
If the account is accurate, software development and the decision to limit the robot’s initial functions are likely to shape its timing. No announcement date or further reporting milestone is confirmed in the source material, so it remains unclear when the company might disclose more.
Key Questions
When might Apple’s rumored smart home robot launch?
The Information reports that it may arrive in 2027 at the earliest or possibly in 2028. Apple has not confirmed a launch date.
Why is the robot reportedly delayed?
The report says the software is not ready and that the software team has pushed to delay the launch while narrowing the proposed features.
What could the robot do?
Reported functions include FaceTime and simple home automation, such as turning on a light. The device may also use cameras and sensors to follow someone during a call, but Apple has not confirmed these capabilities.
How much might the device cost?
The Information reports a possible price of around $1,000 or more. This is an estimate, not an announced price from Apple.
Has Apple confirmed the HomeView Ultra?
No. HomeView Ultra is a name former Apple employees reportedly expect, while the reported internal codename is J595. Apple has not confirmed the product or either name.
Source: theverge.com
