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Apple’s rumored smart home robot may not arrive until 2027 at the earliest, and possibly 2028, according to The Information, as cited by The Verge. The hardware is reportedly finished, but the software team has sought more time and a narrower feature set; Apple has not announced the device or a release date.
Apple’s rumored smart home robot may not launch until 2027 at the earliest, or possibly 2028, according to a report by The Information cited by The Verge. The reported delay is tied to unfinished software, despite the robot’s hardware reportedly having been complete for about two years; Apple has not publicly confirmed the product, its features or a release schedule.
The Information reports that the device’s software team has pushed to delay its release and tried to reduce the proposed feature set. The team reportedly wants to focus on a smaller number of functions, including FaceTime and home automation tasks such as turning on a light. Those details describe reported development discussions, not features Apple has officially announced.
The project is reportedly codenamed J595. Former Apple employees cited in The Information reportedly expect a possible retail name of HomeView Ultra, following the HomeView smart display, which The Verge report says launched the previous month. That name is speculation rather than a confirmed product title.
The rumored price is around $1,000, potentially more, according to the report. The Information also describes a device with a 9-inch display on a swiveling robotic arm, plus cameras and sensors that could allow it to follow a person during a FaceTime call. These specifications and the price remain unconfirmed. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman previously described a stationary tabletop design resembling the lamp from Pixar films.
A Delay Puts Software Before Hardware
The reported schedule suggests the main obstacle is not making the physical device, but getting its software and functions ready for a useful home product. If accurate, that distinction matters: a finished prototype would not mean Apple is ready to sell a device whose core tasks, such as video calls and household controls, still need refinement.
A potential price near $1,000 would also place the robot well above an ordinary smart display, making a clear set of dependable capabilities important to its appeal. The report says the price could rise with component costs, including memory, but gives no confirmed price or final configuration. For readers considering a smart home purchase, the report is not a reason to plan around a specific launch date or product specification.
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From J595 to a Possible HomeView
The robot has been the subject of earlier reporting, rather than a public Apple product announcement. In 2024, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman described a possible stationary tabletop design with a movable display arm. The newer details attributed to The Information add a 9-inch screen, cameras and sensors, but do not establish that those elements are final.
The possible HomeView Ultra name is also based on former employees’ predictions, according to The Information, and appears to refer to the HomeView smart display that The Verge says launched the month before its report. Apple has not confirmed a connection between that display and the robot, or said that the device will use either name.
“The robot’s hardware “has been finished for around two years.””
— The Information, as reported by The Verge
Apple Has Not Confirmed a Launch
Apple has not announced the robot, confirmed the J595 codename or verified the rumored name, design, price and feature list. The 2027 or 2028 timing comes from The Information’s reporting and is not an official release window. It is also unclear what software remains unfinished, whether the reported feature changes are settled, and whether the hardware description reflects a final product rather than a development version.
The reported price of about $1,000 is an estimate, not a confirmed retail price. The Information’s account also links possible increases to higher costs for RAM and other components, but it does not establish a final bill of materials or how any cost changes would affect pricing.
Software Work Sets the Next Milestone
The next meaningful development would be a public announcement from Apple or further reporting that clarifies the software scope and release plans. Until then, the reported timeline leaves open whether the product could arrive in 2027, be pushed to 2028 or change substantially before any launch.
Readers should treat the design, capabilities, name and price as provisional. Apple has not provided a date for an announcement, and the available report does not identify a specific upcoming event or milestone for the device.
Key Questions
When could Apple’s rumored home robot launch?
The Information, as cited by The Verge, reports a launch no earlier than 2027, with 2028 also possible. Apple has not confirmed a release date.
Why might the robot be delayed?
The report says the hardware has been finished for around two years, but the software is not ready. The software team has reportedly sought to delay launch and narrow the proposed features.
What might the device do?
Reported potential functions include FaceTime and automating household tasks, such as switching on a light. A 9-inch swiveling display, cameras and sensors have also been described, but Apple has not confirmed these details.
Will it be called HomeView Ultra, and how much might it cost?
Former Apple employees reportedly predict the name HomeView Ultra, and the report puts a possible price around $1,000 or higher. Neither the name nor the price has been confirmed by Apple.
Source: theverge.com
