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is a news writer covering all things consumer tech. Stevie started out at Laptop Mag writing news and reviews on hardware, gaming, and AI.
If you’ve been reluctant to update to the new Apple Home architecture, you now have a few more months before Apple forces your hand. Apple has pushed back the deadline to February 10, 2026, rather than fall 2025.
The refreshed version of Apple Home has been available for a couple of years now and adds support for the Matter smart home standard. However, updating has been optional so far.
One of the biggest reasons for staying on the old architecture is its support for iPads as Home hubs. You can still use your iPad to control your smart home on the new architecture, but you’ll need a separate hub device, specifically a HomePod or AppleTV. Unlike both of those devices, the iPad’s display allows it to function similarly to a touchscreen smart display, such as Amazon’s Echo Show or Google’s Nest Hub Max.
Apple doesn’t have a device to fill that void in the new Apple Home — yet. There are rumors that it’s planning to launch a smart home display hub in spring 2026, which would be shortly after support for iPads as Home hubs ends.
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