Apple's New HomePod May Be Released Later Than Expected

Apple has long been a leader in the tech world, dominating the smartphone market both in terms of market share and device sales worldwide. But recently, it seems the company is setting its sights on more than just handheld devices—it’s looking to make a mark in the smart home space as well.

Last year, rumours swirled about the company rolling out two new HomePod devices, one of which could feature a robotic arm and be priced as high as $1,000. Initially, there was hope that the devices would hit the market in early 2025. However, it now seems we may have to wait a little longer for Apple’s take on smart home gadgets.

The primary reason for the delay seems to be software-related. The HomePod is expected to run on a new operating system, likely HomeOS, based on tvOS. This system is said to be closely tied to the new App Intents feature, which allows Siri or the iPhone’s search function to perform specific tasks within apps.

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App Intents is meant to debut with iOS 18.4 and iOS 19, and these software features are crucial for the device’s full functionality, enabling seamless integration with apps and smart home devices.

However, with App Intents not set to launch until later in 2025, it’s now clear that the HomePod’s release could be pushed back to coincide with the rollout of these updates.

While there was hope for a spring 2025 launch, it seems more likely that Apple will unveil the device in the summer or fall of this year, aligning its debut with the official release of iOS 19.

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Despite the delay, the HomePod's features, including a compact 7-inch screen and integration with Apple’s HomeKit ecosystem, still promise to make it a strong contender in the smart display market.

Once it’s finally available, the device is likely to offer a more secure and streamlined experience compared to Amazon Echo and Google Nest products, thanks to Apple’s emphasis on local AI processing and privacy. However, with reports stating that Amazon Echo devices already hold about 70% of the U.S. market and Google captures 25%, Apple may face challenges in effectively penetrating this competitive market.

Ultimately, only time will tell. In the meantime, Apple fans will need to be patient, but it’s evident that the company is taking its time to perfect the product before launch.