Apple is anticipated to unveil its first new products of the year this week. However, the launch that excites me the most, the new ‘HomePad’ device, will reportedly take longer than initially expected, according to a recent report by Mark Gurman.
New HomePad launch is now “months away”
In November, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg shared an in-depth analysis on an upcoming Apple Home product. I’ve been referring to it as the HomePad.
At that time, he indicated that Apple was aiming for a launch in March for the new device.
However, just last month, Gurman updated this information by suggesting that the HomePad “might take longer” to be released. He noted that because some features depend on forthcoming software updates, “it’s feasible that the hardware will be released a bit later.”
Even though the March timeframe appeared uncertain, Gurman retained an optimistic view that the HomePad could still be launched sooner.
But as of this weekend, that optimism seems to have dimmed. In Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter, he states:
Apple is no longer developing a car, and genuine AR glasses may be three to five years out. Although Apple is pursuing smart home tech, its first significant foray into that market—a hub designed as a control center—is several months away from being released.
The crucial detail is at the end. Apple’s HomePad “is months away from shipping.”
This implies two things:
- Gurman is now fairly certain that the March target is off the table.
- While an April launch is still a possibility, it seems likely that an even longer wait might be expected.
April launch fits well with iOS 18.4’s new AI capabilities
I am more enthusiastic about the HomePad than any other Apple product launch this year. So I prefer to stay hopeful, recalling that “months away” might simply indicate two months, hinting at an April launch.
The HomePad should integrate seamlessly with the new Apple Intelligence features debuting in iOS 18.4—most notably an enhanced Siri experience.
Given that iOS 18.4 is slated for release in April, a HomePad launch around that timeframe seems ideal. Nonetheless, we’ll have to wait to see what Apple has in store.
Are you excited about the HomePad? When do you anticipate its launch? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Top HomeKit Smart Home Accessories
: . More.
