It looks like Apple is finally ready to take the smart home seriously. A new report claims the company is launching its first smart displays in early 2026, but it faces a huge uphill battle against Google and Amazon.
What's the latest on Apple's smart home strategy?
Apple’s dabbling in the smart home has always felt a bit half-baked, right? The HomePod is a great speaker, but it’s hardly the center of a connected home ecosystem. Well, that might finally be changing. According to a new report, Apple is planning to kick off a real smart home strategy in the March-April 2026 timeframe.
This new push will reportedly start with the company’s first-ever smart display. It's expected to come in two flavors: a standard speaker-base version (think an Apple-fied Nest Hub) and a wall-mounted model.
This isn't just a random product drop. The launch is set to coincide with Apple's big AI upgrade and a much-improved Siri. The report suggests this display is just the beginning, laying the groundwork for a wider smart home security ecosystem, including cameras, later in the year.
Why is this a big deal?
Apple HomePod Mini | Image credit — Apple
To put it bluntly, Apple is showing up incredibly late to this game. Google, with its Nest Hub lineup, and Amazon, with its Echo Show devices, have absolutely dominated the smart home space for the better part of a decade. They haven't just sold hardware; they've built massive, sticky ecosystems that are deeply entrenched in millions of homes.
These companies have built, as the report notes, "deep moats" around their platforms. This is Apple's biggest challenge. It's not just about releasing a "good" product. They have to convince people who are already comfortable with Alexa or Google Assistant to either switch or add another smart ecosystem to their home. That's a very tough sell, especially when Apple's previous efforts have been so siloed.
Do you think Apple can surpass Amazon and Google in the smart home space with newly launched devices?
Yes
44.44%
No
55.56%
It's about time, but also a gamble
My first thought? It's about time. But my second thought is... is it too late? For years, Siri's limitations have been a running joke, and the HomePod has been a premium, walled-off accessory rather than a truly useful home controller.
This new push hinges entirely on the new, smarter Siri, which is reportedly getting a boost from Google's Gemini AI. Even if the hardware is beautiful (and it's Apple, so it probably will be), it's all for nothing if the assistant controlling it can't undo years of damage to the Siri brand.
Recommended Stories
For those deep in the Apple ecosystem who have actively avoided Google or Amazon, these new displays will likely be an easy "yes." But for everyone else? Apple needs to deliver a genuinely revolutionary experience, not just a prettier Echo Show. I'm skeptical they can overcome the lead their rivals have built, but I'm definitely curious to watch them try.
Johanna 'Jojo the Techie' is a skilled mobile technology expert with over 15 years of hands-on experience, specializing in the Google ecosystem and Pixel devices. Known for her user-friendly approach, she leverages her vast tech support background to provide accessible and insightful coverage on latest technology trends. As a recognized thought leader and former member of #TeamPixel, Johanna ensures she stays at the forefront of Google services and products, making her a reliable source for all things Pixel and ChromeOS.
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts:
New accounts created within the last 24 hours may experience restrictions on how frequently they can
post or comment.
These limits are in place as a precaution and will automatically lift.
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: