According to The Information, Apple is postponing the launch plans for its smart home robot, with the originally planned release possibly delayed until next year or even as late as 2028. The report says the device is codenamed J595, and its hardware was completed about two years ago, but software development has not kept pace, becoming the main factor affecting the product’s release.

It is said that Apple’s software team wants to scale back some originally planned features and shift the product’s focus to FaceTime video calls and smart home automation control, such as having the robot turn on lights and perform other tasks. The report says some software team members have been pushing to delay the launch to ensure the core features meet expectations.

Regarding product naming, former Apple employees predict the device may be called “HomeView Ultra,” continuing the naming approach of Apple’s new HomeView smart display launched last month. However, this name has not yet been officially confirmed by Apple.

In terms of price, the robot is expected to cost about $1,000, significantly higher than ordinary smart home display devices. The report believes that rising prices for RAM and other hardware components may also further affect the final pricing. This delay reflects that Apple still faces challenges in software-hardware integration and product positioning in the smart home robot field.