Apple’s ‘Ultra’ smart home robot might have to wait until 2028

Apple has reportedly pushed back the launch of its rumored tabletop smart home robot to next year at the earliest, and possibly to 2028, according to The Information. The machine itself is essentially finished, the outlet reports, and the delay comes down to the software that is supposed to run it.

What is holding it up

The Information says work on the hardware wrapped up roughly two years ago, while the software remains unfinished. Apple's software team for the device argued for more time and pressed to cut the feature list, so that the product would ship with a narrower set of abilities built around FaceTime calls and simple home automation, such as switching on a light.

Predicted name and design

The device carries the codename J595. Former Apple employees expect it to be marketed as the "HomeView Ultra," following the HomeView smart display Apple introduced last month. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported in 2024 that the robot may take a stationary, tabletop form resembling Pixar's famous lamp. The Information says it will pair a 9-inch display on a swiveling robotic arm with cameras and sensors, so the screen can turn toward you during a FaceTime call.

Price expectations

The robot is expected to cost considerably more than the HomeView, at around $1,000, and possibly more depending on rising prices for RAM and other components. Apple has not announced the device, and none of these details have been confirmed by the company.

Sources: The Verge · Techmeme