TL;DR
Get home appliances delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
Apple’s rumored smart home robot could be delayed until 2027 at the earliest, or possibly 2028, according to The Information, as its software is reportedly not ready. The device’s design and price remain unconfirmed, and Apple has not announced it.
Apple’s rumored smart home robot may not launch until 2027 at the earliest, and could be pushed to 2028, The Information reports, citing people familiar with the project. The reported delay is tied to software that is not ready, despite the device’s hardware having been finished for about two years, according to the report. Apple has not announced the product or confirmed a release date.
The Information reports that the robot’s software team has sought more time and proposed cutting back some features. The team reportedly wants to focus the product on a smaller set of tasks, including FaceTime calls and home automation such as switching on a light. The report does not specify which features might be dropped or how much time the changes would require.
The project is reportedly codenamed J595. The Information says the device is expected to have a 9-inch display attached to a swiveling robotic arm, with cameras and sensors intended to help it follow a user during FaceTime calls. These details are reported specifications, not information Apple has confirmed.
The report puts the possible price at around $1,000, with the final cost potentially higher depending on component prices, including RAM. Former Apple employees cited in the coverage have speculated that the product could be called HomeView Ultra, following the HomeView smart display that, according to The Verge’s account of the report, launched last month. That name has not been confirmed by Apple.
A Delayed Bet on the Smart Home
A launch in 2027 or 2028 would leave Apple’s rumored device months or years away from customers and gives the company more time to refine how a moving display fits into everyday home use. The reported effort to narrow the feature set suggests the team may be prioritizing a workable product over a broader set of capabilities, although the report does not establish Apple’s reasons for the delay beyond software readiness.
The reported price also points to a premium product rather than a basic smart display. At around $1,000 or more, the robot would need to offer value beyond video calls and simple controls for lights and other home tasks. Its actual price, capabilities and target audience remain unknown, so the comparison is based on reported plans rather than a product Apple has presented.
Products Worth Considering
Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Smart Light Starter Kit, 2 A19 Bulbs with Hub
PHILIPS Hue Smart LED Candle Light Bulb, B39, E12, 2-Pack
Philips Hue Secure Starter Kit with Contact Sensors, Motion Sensor, Bridge, and Color Smart Bulbs
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
What Reports Say About J595
The device has appeared in earlier reporting as a possible Apple home product. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported in 2024 that it could have a stationary tabletop design resembling Pixar’s famous lamp. The Information’s reported description adds a swiveling 9-inch screen and cameras and sensors that could track a person during a call. The accounts provide a possible design direction, not an official product description.
The Verge’s report says Apple launched a HomeView smart display last month, giving context to the rumored “HomeView Ultra” name suggested by former employees. But the name, relationship between the products and any shared features have not been confirmed. Apple has made no public announcement about J595 in the supplied reporting.
“The robot’s hardware “has been finished for around two years.””
— The Information, as reported by The Verge
Release Date and Features Remain Open
The reported timeline is not a confirmed launch schedule: Apple has not announced J595, its name, price or specifications. The Information’s account leaves open whether the robot will arrive in 2027, slip to 2028, or face further changes. It is also unclear which proposed features could be removed, what the final software will do, and whether the reported hardware description reflects the version Apple might eventually release.
The possible price is an estimate, not a set retail price. The report mentions RAM and other component costs as factors that could push the price higher, but does not provide a final cost or explain how any cost changes would affect the timing.
Watch for Apple’s Product Update
The next clear milestone would be an announcement from Apple, but the company has not provided one or indicated when it might discuss the project. Until then, the 2027-to-2028 window, design details and estimated price remain based on reporting attributed to The Information and earlier reporting from Bloomberg. Any changes to the software plan or launch timing have not been publicly confirmed.
Key Questions
When could Apple’s rumored smart home robot launch?
The Information reports that it could arrive in 2027 at the earliest, or possibly in 2028. Apple has not confirmed a release date.
Why is the robot reportedly delayed?
The Information says the software is not ready and that the software team has sought to narrow the planned features. The report says the hardware has reportedly been finished for around two years.
What could the device do?
Reported plans include FaceTime and home tasks such as switching on a light. The reported design includes a swiveling display, cameras and sensors, but Apple has not confirmed these details.
How much might the Apple robot cost?
The Information’s reported estimate is around $1,000, potentially more depending on component prices. Apple has not set or announced a price.
Will it be called HomeView Ultra?
Former Apple employees cited in the coverage reportedly expect that name, but it is speculation, not a confirmed product name. The project is reportedly codenamed J595.
Source: theverge.com
