New Apple TV and HomePod mini hardware will arrive when new Siri features are ready

Apple has two new hardware refreshes ready to release, but is waiting for the new Google Gemini-powered version of Siri before placing them on sale. That’s according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who reckons the next HomePod mini smart speaker and Apple TV set-top box are being held at the starting gate.

In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said Apple has been good to go since latest year. However, the continued delay of Siri and other Apple Intelligence advancements, have convinced Apple to hang fire. The new features would likely headline any updates to the speaker and set-top box line, giving Apple a reasonable reason to push a new generation, even through the AI updates may trickle down to other devices in the range.

When will those updates come? Well the current generations are “running low” at Apple’s retail stores, Gurman reports. However, given the personalised Siri features might not arrive until iOS 26.5 later this spring or in iOS 27 later this year.

While Apple may preview the features at WWDC in June, they’re unlikely to be with consumers until September, if historical precedent is followed.

The HomePod mini speaker was introduced way back in 2020 and, while there have been a couple of new colours added, the hardware has remained the same. As for the Apple TV, the third-generation Apple TV 4K is still the most current set-top box. It too is due for an upgrade. Or perhaps a cheaper version?

Stuff’s Craig Grannell has called on Apple to take inspiration from the MacBook Neo and apply the same rationale to the tvOS device.

“Rumours about Apple TV Pro don’t interest me,” he wrote. “I’d sooner see Apple TV Neo with a simplified design and fantastic software. Like the MacBook Neo, the Apple TV could shake up its corner of the market – and that could transform it from an also-ran into the telly box most people should buy.”