Report claims new Apple HomePad smart display is ready to ship

Apple’s long-rumored HomePad smart display is reportedly already sitting in warehouses ready to ship, but the company is waiting for its next-generation Siri experience before releasing it.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, via 9to5Mac, Apple has already built inventory of the new smart home device, which is expected to combine HomePod audio features with a 7-inch iPad-like display designed for smart home controls, widgets, video calls, and media playback.

The HomePad is rumored to serve as a central hub for Apple’s smart home ecosystem. Reports suggest the display could be mounted on a wall or placed on a dock, offering quick access to HomeKit controls, weather, calendars, FaceTime, Apple Music, and security camera feeds.

However, Apple is reportedly delaying the product because it wants the device to launch alongside a much more advanced version of Siri. The company is said to be working on a conversational AI-powered Siri experience that behaves more like a chatbot, allowing users to speak more naturally and handle more complex requests.

The upgraded Siri is rumored to be deeply integrated into iOS 27 and other Apple software updates, with Apple expected to focus heavily on AI improvements at WWDC 2026 in June. Previous reports suggested Apple had initially hoped to launch the HomePad around March 2026 alongside iOS 26.4, but those plans appear to have slipped as Siri development continues.

The first beta of iOS 26.5 has now arrived without any major Siri upgrades, adding to speculation that Apple is saving the revamped assistant for iOS 27 later this year.

Alongside the HomePad, Apple is also rumored to be preparing updated versions of the HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K, with all three products expected to launch once the new Siri experience is ready.