Apple is set to unveil its initial new products of the year this week. However, the launch that has me most intrigued—the new ‘HomePad’ device—is expected to take longer than initially thought, as reported by Mark Gurman.
HomePad Launch Postponed to ‘Months Away’
Back in November, Mark Gurman of Bloomberg shared an extensive analysis of an upcoming Apple Home device, which I’ve referred to as the HomePad.
At that time, he mentioned that Apple was aiming for a March release for the new gadget.
However, just last month, Gurman provided an update indicating that the HomePad “might take longer” to become available. He noted that certain features are linked to upcoming software updates and suggested, “it’s likely that the hardware itself will be shipped later than expected.”
Ultimately, while the March launch was in question, Gurman appeared cautiously optimistic about the HomePad potentially arriving sooner than later.
As of this past weekend, that optimism seems to have diminished. In Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter, he remarks:
Apple is no longer pursuing a car, and genuine AR glasses are probably three to five years away. Although Apple is invested in smart home tech, its initial major entry in that field—a hub that functions as a control center—is still months away from shipping.
The critical takeaway is that the HomePad “is months away from shipping.”
This indicates two main points:
- Gurman now firmly believes that the March timeframe is officially off the table.
- While April remains a possibility, it appears he anticipates an even longer delay.
April Launch May Align with iOS 18.4’s New AI Features
I’m more enthusiastic about the HomePad than possibly any other Apple release this year. Therefore, I choose to remain optimistic and remind myself that “months away” might just mean two months, hinting at an April launch.
The HomePad should integrate seamlessly with the powerful new Apple Intelligence features debuting in iOS 18.4, notably enhancing Siri’s capabilities.
Since iOS 18.4 is expected in April, a HomePad launch during that timeframe seems ideal. Nevertheless, we’ll have to wait to see what Apple has in store.
Are you excited about the HomePad? When do you foresee its launch? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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