2026-03-10 03:50:11
Apple has a new version of the HomePod and a new Apple TV 4K ready to go, but the devices may be tied to the Siri update that's been continually postponed, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In a report on a planned September launch for new Siri capabilities and the home hub that's reliant on the revamped version of Siri, Gurman says the updated Apple TV and HomePod are both linked to "new artificial intelligence features."
We've been hearing rumors about a new HomePod mini and a refreshed Apple TV 4K since 2024. Gurman said several times in 2025 that Apple was aiming for a launch before the end of the year, but no new Apple TV or HomePod materialized. We also didn't hear a word about the devices at Apple's early 2026 launch event last week, which saw the introduction of the iPhone 17e, MacBook Neo, and more.
At this point, it seems like Apple may not introduce the new Apple TV 4K and HomePod until the new version of Siri is ready. Apple was planning to debut the Apple Intelligence version of Siri in iOS 26.4, but the revamp has been pushed back because Siri still isn't working reliably. Apple is now aiming to launch all of the new Siri features in iOS 27 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, though it's possible we could see some of the capabilities before September as part of an iOS 26.5 update.
Gurman's wording today mentions a "HomePod" rather than a HomePod mini specifically, but in past reports, he has claimed that Apple has a new version of the HomePod mini ready to go. It's not clear if the larger HomePod is also getting refreshed, or if Apple is only planning to update its smaller speaker.
The Apple TV 4K hasn't been refreshed since 2022. Rumors suggest that it will get an A17 Pro chip and Apple's N1 networking chip, but no major design updates. The A17 Pro chip is capable of supporting Apple Intelligence features, and it was previously used in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPad mini.
The HomePod mini is expected to get a newer Apple Watch chip and it could also adopt the N1 and an updated UWB chip.
2026-03-10 03:17:52
Apple is postponing the launch of its planned smart home hub until September 2026, reports Bloomberg. Apple has pushed back the debut of the home hub multiple times due to ongoing issues with the revamped version of Siri. The hub has a heavy AI focus and it is tied to the more intelligent Siri that Apple has in the works.
Prior to realizing the Apple Intelligence version of Siri would not be ready until 2026, Apple planned to launch the home hub in spring 2025. After it became clear Siri would need to be delayed, Apple then aimed for a spring 2026 launch for the home hub because it planned to release Siri in iOS 26.4.
Siri is not present in the iOS 26.4 beta because the new version is still not ready, so Apple is now going to hold the home hub until September. Apple is reportedly experiencing issues with Siri accuracy and it hasn't managed to get all of the promised Siri features working reliably.
A September launch timeline suggests we are not going to see new Siri capabilities until iOS 27, as September is when iOS 27 will come out. Apple has promised that the new version of Siri will launch in 2026, and as long as it debuts before December, Apple won't miss the timeline that it gave to the public.
The smart home hub has apparently been finished and ready to launch for several months, but it can't be released without the Siri update. The device is similar in design to an iPad, but with a 7-inch square display. It can be attached to a wall or used with a speaker base, and there is a camera for facial recognition. The hub can tell when people are in the room and when someone walks up to it, and it will offer content specific to each person in the home.
Apple designed it to be an AI hub for controlling smart home products, making calls, viewing apps like Calendar and Reminders, and much more. It is meant to be similar to the Amazon Echo Show, which is an Alexa-enabled speaker with a display.
Apple's home hub does not include its own App Store, but it does run Apple apps. It will feature round app icons that are arranged similarly to apps on the Apple Watch, and it will run a version of tvOS 27.
Apple first showed off the new version of Siri in June 2024, and planned to launch the features in iOS 18.4. Siri capabilities include personalization, onscreen awareness, and the ability for Siri to do more in and between apps, as well as image generation using Image Playground and a web search feature that summarizes information from web results.
The Apple Intelligence Siri updates were meant to be followed by an iOS 27 update that turns Siri into a ChatGPT-style chatbot, but now it seems like all of the new features could come at once in iOS 27. Apple is planning to revamp Siri to make it look and feel more like a chatbot.
2026-03-10 02:51:42
The colorful new wallpapers that Apple introduced with the MacBook Neo are available for all Macs in the fourth beta of macOS Tahoe 26.4 that came out for developers today.
Featuring bubble-style lines with colorful gradients, the wallpapers come in Mac Purple, Mac Blue, Mac Pink, and Mac Yellow. The design and the colors spell out the word "Mac."
Beta testers can use the new wallpapers by opening up the System Settings app, going to the Wallpaper option, and scrolling down to the Pictures section.
Apple typically makes all of the wallpapers that it designs for Mac marketing images available to all Macs, so the new Neo wallpapers join wallpapers created for the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, and other machines.
Today's macOS Tahoe 26.4 update also adds new emoji characters, like trombone, treasure chest, distorted face, hairy creature, fight cloud, orca, and landslide.
The fourth beta of macOS Tahoe 26.4 is limited to developers, but it should soon be released for public beta testers as well. The update is expected to launch this spring.
2026-03-10 02:36:52
Tech columnist David Pogue's new book Apple: The First 50 Years will be available in hardcover and digital formats starting this Tuesday, March 10.
In time for Apple's 50th anniversary on April 1, the 608-page book explores the first five decades of the company's history. Pogue interviewed 150 key people who shaped Apple into what it is today, including the company's co-founder Steve Wozniak, former CEO John Sculley, former design chief Jony Ive, and others.
While many aspects of Apple's history are well documented, the book's official description promises "new facts that correct the record":
In time for Apple's 50th anniversary, CBS Sunday Morning correspondent David Pogue tells the iconic company's entire life story: how it was born, nearly died, was born again under Steve Jobs, and became, under CEO Tim Cook, the most valuable company in the world. The book features full-color photos, new facts that correct the record and illuminate its subversive culture, and fresh interviews with the legendary figures who shaped Apple into what it is today.Pogue is a CBS Sunday Morning correspondent, and he spent many years writing about Apple and technology for The New York Times and Macworld. An excerpt from his book, focused on the late Steve Jobs, is available on the CBS News website.
2026-03-10 02:20:28
The fourth iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and macOS Tahoe 26.4 betas that Apple provided to developers today introduce nine new emoji characters.
2026-03-10 01:13:30
Apple today provided developers with the fourth betas of upcoming watchOS 26.4 and visionOS 26.4 betas for testing purposes. The software comes a week after Apple released the third betas.
The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device, and because these are developer betas, a free developer account is required.
watchOS 26.4 adds a new Average Bedtime metric to the sleep features that sync to the health app, so you can better keep an eye on how bedtime impacts overall sleep quality.
tvOS 26.4 eliminates the iTunes Movies and iTunes TV Shows apps on the Apple TV. These apps haven't worked for some time and have directed users to the Apple TV app for purchases, but Apple is finally phasing them out entirely. Apple also added a Continuous Audio Connection option for HDMI output.
visionOS 26.4 includes support for foveated streaming for apps and games. Foveated streaming allows video to be streamed to the precise area where a user is looking, and peripheral areas are compressed. It allows for higher visual quality and lower latency.
