Apple Overlooked A Key Point At WWDC 2025

The WWDC 2025 keynote from Apple was a whirlwind of updates encompassing its entire product lineup. From the iPhone and iPad to the Apple Watch, Mac, Vision Pro, and Apple TV, there was much for fans to celebrate.

This year introduced a revamped interface across all Apple devices alongside a slew of new features. It seemed that every aspect of Apple’s ecosystem was given due recognition.

However, as I watched the hour-and-a-half presentation, a lingering question loomed in my mind: What is happening with Apple’s smart home initiatives?

Is Anyone Home?

In past WWDC events, we’ve seen Apple discuss HomeKit and smart home integration, even unveiling the HomePod smart speaker back in 2017 during its annual developer conference.

Fast forward to 2025, and despite hearing about updates to CarPlay, Apple provided no insights into smart home developments.

While I didn’t anticipate a dedicated segment for smart home updates, numerous opportunities arose throughout the features presented in the new versions of iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS, tvOS, and visionOS.

What advancements are being made to help these platforms connect with smart lighting, video doorbells, connected thermostats, and security cameras? How is Apple using its technology to enhance the smart home experience for users?

Sadly, none of these inquiries were addressed, nor was there any hint that Apple is interested in pursuing them. Yet, perhaps that’s part of a larger strategy.

Left Behind?

Apple’s HomePod and HomePod mini haven’t achieved the same success as Amazon’s Echo line and Google’s Home products.

While Amazon and Google provide affordable options for customers entering the smart speaker market, paired with strong voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant, Apple’s offerings remain on the pricier side, and Siri doesn’t measure up as favorably.

As consumers opt for budget-friendly devices like the Echo Dot or Nest Mini for family members, Apple’s speakers have not received comparable attention.

Rumors circulated that Apple might unveil a HomePod with a screen during WWDC, aimed at competing with smart displays such as the Amazon Echo Show and the Google Nest Hub Max.

If Apple is still invested in the smart home space, WWDC 2025 would have been the ideal occasion to refresh its offerings.

A combination of iOS 26 and tvOS 26 could form a robust homeOS, potentially supporting upcoming smart displays and devices.

Yet here I am, left with more questions than answers, and minimal optimism. Maybe Apple has determined that interest in these products is declining, or perhaps it has accepted that it’s too far behind its competitors to catch up.

My hope is not completely lost, though. Siri needs significant improvement if an Apple smart speaker is ever to compete against the stronghold of Google and Amazon in the market.

While we still await the anticipated Siri enhancements revealed in last year’s WWDC, Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, indicated during this year’s session that we would receive updates within the next year.

According to an interview with Tom’s Guide, it appears that Craig meant early 2026 instead of late 2025 for when we’ll gain further insights into the revamped Siri platform.

So does this imply that new Siri features will be launched alongside a range of new HomePod smart displays and speakers? One can only hope.