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Apple delays Smart Display launch to refine Siri and ensure seamless smart-home integration.
Device envisioned as central hub powered by tvOS 18.4 with advanced flexibility features like robotic tilt.
Plans to showcase development progress at WWDC 2025, focusing on AI expansion rather than new features.
Apple has encountered a setback in the development of its anticipated Smart Display, delaying its release as advancements to Siri remain incomplete. Initially slated for early 2025, the device was envisioned to serve as a central smart-home hub, integrating seamlessly with Apple's ecosystem through tvOS 18.4. The Smart Display was expected to feature multiple models, including a variant with a robotic tilt mechanism, enhancing user interaction and flexibility.
Technical specifications highlighted the device's reliance on native Apple applications such as Calendar and Notepad, alongside the integration of the Messages service. A pivotal aspect of the Smart Display was the incorporation of Apple Intelligence, aimed at delivering advanced control over smart home functionalities. Despite these promising features, the enhanced Siri capabilities, critical for the device's performance, have not met the necessary standards, prompting Apple to postpone the launch.
Looking ahead, Apple plans to showcase its progress at the World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2025, aiming to demonstrate parity with competitors like Google and Amazon in the smart display market. However, expectations suggest that significant new AI features may not debut at the event, with a comprehensive roadmap instead outlining the expansion of existing AI functionalities across more applications.
In parallel to the Smart Display project, Apple is actively refining other hardware ventures, including new wearables to complement the Apple Vision Pro. Efforts are underway to develop a lighter, more user-friendly augmented reality headset, with a potential release window extending three to five years. Additionally, advancements continue on specialized AirPods incorporating integrated cameras, although official announcements remain pending.
This strategic delay underscores Apple's commitment to delivering a polished and technologically robust Smart Display. By prioritizing the refinement of Siri and ensuring comprehensive integration within its product lineup, Apple aims to provide a superior smart-home experience upon the device's eventual release.
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