Apple expected to debut smart home platform and upgraded Siri in March event

Apple is getting closer to unveiling its long-anticipated smart home platform—HomeOS. The launch, however, is now likely to take place ahead of WWDC 2026, with a public debut expected around March next year.

According to a Bloomberg report, the delay was due to ongoing development of Siri’s upgraded AI features, which are key to how HomeOS will function.

Siri Upgrades Are Central to the Launch

Apple’s next-generation smart home strategy is tied closely to a revamped Siri. The upgraded voice assistant is expected to offer contextual understanding, chatbot-like responses, and even act as a real-time conversational copilot.

The company is working toward always-on voice control, enabling HomeOS to manage tasks, offer suggestions, and control home devices more naturally.

New Smart Home Hardware in the Pipeline

Apple is also preparing new home hardware alongside HomeOS. The most talked-about product is an iPad-like smart home hub.

This device would handle key household systems—like climate control, security, and media—from one interface.

Rumors also suggest a robotic arm with a swiveling screen is under development, potentially offering more interactive and adaptive control in a smart home setup.

Built on Apple Intelligence and Thread Tech

The success of HomeOS depends on the convergence of several Apple technologies.

Apple will integrate Thread, a wireless standard that creates a mesh network among smart home devices. Many Apple devices, including iPhones and HomePods, already support Thread.

At WWDC 2025, Apple also introduced its Foundation Models Framework, allowing developers to integrate AI into their own apps and devices. That same framework could power smarter interactions through HomeOS.

A Unified Home Experience

With HomeOS, Apple aims to offer seamless control across various devices and brands. That includes compatibility with products from third parties like IKEA, whose Timmerflotte sensor supports Thread.

This unified system could give Apple a competitive edge in the growing smart home market, which currently lacks a consistent user experience across platforms.

A March 2026 Debut Before WWDC

While Apple typically reveals major platforms during WWDC, reports suggest the HomeOS reveal could happen earlier.

March 2026 now looks like the likely time for both the hardware reveal and HomeOS launch. This gives developers and users time to adopt the platform before WWDC 2026.