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Apple reportedly delays smart home robot launch until 2027 or later
Apple has reportedly delayed its rumoured smart home robot until 2027 at the earliest, with a launch possibly slipping to 2028. The reported hold-up is software: the hardware is said to have been finished for about two years, but the software team wants more time to make the product ready.
The device, codenamed J595, may be called HomeView Ultra and could cost around $1,000 or more, depending partly on component costs. It is reported to have a nine-inch screen on a swivelling robotic arm, with cameras and sensors to follow users during FaceTime calls. Planned functions may focus on video calls and automating simple home tasks, such as turning on a light.
In short
- Apple’s rumoured home robot may not arrive before 2027.
- Software readiness is reportedly delaying the launch.
- The device could cost around $1,000 or more.
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The case for
A delay could give Apple time to make the software reliable, private and genuinely useful before asking customers to pay a premium price. A moving screen with cameras and sensors would need to work smoothly around people and homes, so waiting may protect users from an unfinished product and safeguard trust in the brand.
The case against
If the hardware has reportedly been ready for years, a further delay could suggest Apple is struggling to turn a costly device into a compelling product. At around $1,000 or more, buyers may reasonably expect clear benefits beyond video calls and simple home controls, and a late launch could leave the product trailing alternatives or arriving after interest has faded.
Explained simply
Apple makes products including iPhones, computers and devices for the home. Its smart home system lets people control compatible lights and other equipment, while FaceTime is its video-calling service.
A robot combining a screen with a moving arm could bring video calls and some smart home controls into one device. Products in this area need software to coordinate their cameras, sensors and movements, as well as work with other devices in the home.
The reported price would put it among higher-priced home technology, so its appeal may depend on how useful and reliable its features are. The project is still rumoured, and details such as its final name, price and functions have not been confirmed by Apple.
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Originally published by The Verge as “Apple’s ‘Ultra’ smart home robot might have to wait until 2028”.