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Apple Pulls Some Features From Rumored Smart Home Robot [Updated]

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Apple has scrapped some of the features that it had planned for its rumored smart home robot, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Apple Robot Thumb 1
"I'm told that Apple has pulled some bolder features from the device that could reappear in subsequent models," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter this week. However, he did not reveal any of the specific features that were pulled.

Apple made this decision in order to get the tabletop robot "ready faster," according to Gurman.

Last year, Gurman reported that Apple was developing a tabletop robot with an "iPad-like display" attached to a "robotic limb." At the time, he said that Apple was aiming to announce the device as early as 2026 or 2027.

The tabletop robot would be primarily controlled with Siri and Apple Intelligence, according to Gurman. He said the device could respond to commands such as "look at me," which would position the screen on the user's face during a FaceTime video call. The device would also understand different voices, he said.

The robot would be a higher-end version of Apple's rumored smart home hub, which Gurman expects to launch "by the end of this year at the earliest."

The original version of this article contained some inaccurate details that have since been corrected.

Tags: Apple Robot, Mark Gurman

Top Rated Comments

fel10 Avatar
fel10
11 months ago
Unfortunately, that seems to have become the norm with Apple lately.
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
jz0309
11 months ago

"I'm told that Apple has pulled some bolder features from the device that could reappear in subsequent models," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter this week ('https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-05-25/how-jony-ive-openai-deal-will-impact-apple-new-details-on-apple-s-ios-redesign-mb3lwu45'). However, he did not reveal any of the specific features that were pulled.
Gurman at this best… unannounced product, features removed yet he has no clue what features…
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jdavid_rp Avatar
jdavid_rp
11 months ago
Wouldn’t it be better a base where you can magnetically attach an iPad when you need a screen and a camera? And when you de-attach it it looks discrete and decorative like a HomePod.
They even have the new API so iPhones can control stabilizers to keep following a person and the Stage Center feature, so why not the same here for the FaceTime feature?

This way people could use it as an iPad charger/stand and choose the screen size depending on their needs (like a big one for the kitchen or a small one for the entrance)

Also you could be watching a video or a recipe while you cook and if the recipe needs like a 30min timer, you set it on the base and then take the iPad with you to the sofa to keep watching the video or the next steps in the recipe.

Honestly I expect this new device to be this modular, maybe not being an iPad but a touchscreen that receives signal from the base so it can stay slim and portable (like the Wii U Gamepad), because otherwise I don’t see its functionality
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
F
Fuzzball84
11 months ago
Everything seems rushed these days. Everything.

Apple used to only release devices when things were ready. It set them apart. Now they appear to rush things out as much as anyone.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jonnyb098 Avatar
jonnyb098
11 months ago
“Disappointing setback” of an unannounced product no one’s asking for. 🧐
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
G
GioGiusi
11 months ago

Unfortunately, that seems to have become the norm with Apple lately.
And it's why Tim Cook needs to go. He is half-assing everything in order to ship sooner.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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