AI progress slows product rhythm, Apple delays the release of smart home display, waiting for the new version of Siri

Media reports indicate that Apple Inc.'s progress in artificial intelligence (AI) has encountered difficulties, which is having a ripple effect on its product planning. According to sources familiar with the matter, the company has been forced to postpone the long-prepared smart home display to later this year.

Reportedly, this product, internally codenamed J490, was initially planned for a spring 2025 launch but has since been delayed to allow the company to complete the development of the new Siri digital assistant, a core component of the device's interface.

Sources told the media that Apple originally planned to release this display this month, hoping that the new version of Siri would be ready. However, due to another delay with Siri, Apple has once again postponed the release date of the device.

Analysts believe that this predicament highlights the pressure Apple faces to accelerate its catch-up in the AI field. Siri is at the core of its AI strategy, and many future products rely on this technology. However, Apple has already postponed several promised features, some of which were even showcased to consumers nearly two years ago.

This has also led to a lack of coordination between Apple's software and hardware plans. In fact, the smart display itself has been developed for several months, but the company now plans to release the product around September, as Apple expects the new Siri to finally be ready by then.

Facial Recognition and Personalized Experience as Core Selling Points

This Apple device will be similar to Amazon's Echo Show speaker. The display resembles a square iPad and can be mounted on a semi-circular speaker base or fixed to a wall bracket, with the design goal of becoming the central AI control hub in the home. The device interface includes a set of circular app icons arranged similarly to the main screen of the Apple Watch.

Its highlight is a facial recognition-based system that can identify users as they approach the device. Based on this information, the device can display personalized data, such as the user's schedule, reminders, notes, music, and news preferences.

Apple is also developing a range of new AI products, including a pendant device, AirPods with cameras, and smart glasses. These devices are planned for release after the new version of Siri, so unless development encounters issues again, they are unlikely to be affected by the current delays.

Slow AI Progress Delays Numerous Hardware Updates

Apple's goal is to have all new Siri features ready by the time it launches the iPhone 18 Pro in September. The upgraded Siri will be able to access users' personal data to better fulfill query tasks. Apple is also redesigning Siri's interface and underlying AI model to make it more like a modern chatbot.

These user data-related features are particularly critical for the new home device, as the goal is to provide a highly personalized user experience.

Currently, Apple plans for this smart home display to run a variant version of tvOS 27, which is the update scheduled for release in September for the Apple TV set-top box operating system. Apple's new home operating system is developed based on the underlying technology used by Apple TV Before recently adjusting plans due to the delay of Siri, Apple originally intended for the first batch of home devices to run a variant version of tvOS 26, which is the software currently used by Apple TV. John Ternus, Apple's Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, plays a key role in the smart home project and believes this business is crucial for the company's future growth.

Media reports previously indicated that Apple hoped to launch entirely new Siri features in this year's 26.4 software update, but is now testing these features in versions 26.5 and 27.

Apple Accelerates Smart Home Ecosystem Layout

This smart home display is equipped with a 7-inch screen, has only one USB-C port for power, and features a classic Apple silver aluminum casing. This will be the first of several home devices from Apple. The company also plans to launch a version with a 9-inch screen connected to a robotic arm next year, while also developing a small home security sensor.

Apple is also developing a new HomePod without a screen, as well as an updated Apple TV set-top box, both of which will incorporate new artificial intelligence features. The Apple TV hardware has not been updated since 2022, although its software added a new Liquid Glass interface last year.

Apple's entry into the smart home product market comes several years later than similar products from companies like Amazon and Google under Alphabet. However, Apple still has the opportunity to leverage the advantages of its existing product ecosystem. In January of this year, Apple stated that its total number of user devices had exceeded 2.5 billion.

In recent days, Apple has also released a series of new products, including the iPhone 17e, a budget version of the MacBook Neo, iPad Air, external displays, and updated versions of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. However, the company did not mention any progress regarding Siri, artificial intelligence, or smart home developments, which were originally planned to be announced this month