UMVA has learned that Apple’s WWDC 2026 keynote left a glaring omission: a complete absence of updates on HomePod and Apple TV. The event was dominated by AI announcements, including the introduction of Siri AI and the expansion of Apple Intelligence across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
The silence on HomePod and Apple TV was deafening, and it speaks volumes about Apple’s future AI ambitions. The company’s current smart home devices are no longer equipped to handle the demands of modern AI workloads, and a major hardware refresh is long overdue.
The current HomePod lineup, including the HomePod mini and 2nd-generation HomePod, is powered by chips that were never designed for AI-intensive tasks. The HomePod mini runs on the S5 chip from the Apple Watch Series 5, while the 2nd-generation HomePod uses the S7 chip from the Apple Watch Series 7.
These chips are perfectly capable of handling basic tasks like playing music and controlling HomeKit accessories. However, they are woefully inadequate for the demands of Siri AI, which understands conversational context, remembers previous interactions, and integrates deeply with apps and personal data.
Siri AI requires significantly more memory and processing power than any current HomePod has, with the same requirements as Apple Intelligence: the A17 Pro or M1 chip or later. For more advanced AI models, a device with the A19 Pro or M3 chip or later is needed.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that rumors of a new Apple smart home device, codenamed "HomePad," have been circulating for months. References in leaked code point to a mystery Apple smart home accessory with a display, app support, and deeper HomeKit integration.
This new device would instantly become the perfect product to showcase all the capabilities of Apple’s new assistant. A device with a larger display, a more powerful chip, and deeper AI integration could finally give Apple a proper AI-focused home hub.
The same problem applies to the Apple TV, which is due for a hardware update. Rumors suggest that Apple has been working on a new Apple TV model powered by the A17 Pro chip, a massive leap compared to the current Apple TV hardware.
This new chip would allow Apple to bring Apple Intelligence support to Apple TV, enabling experiences like contextual questions about what you’re watching, AI-generated recommendations, and natural control of your smart home through the TV.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that these products have been ready for some time but have had their release delayed. Apple seems to be waiting for new hardware that can deliver the same Siri AI experience that the latest iPhones, iPads, and Macs already offer.
The announcement of these new products may arrive later this year, following the official launch of iOS 27 and Siri AI this fall. And what better time to announce these new products than when Apple’s smart home ecosystem is on the cusp of a major revolution?
