Apple's plans to release a smart display, rumored to be a smart home hub with a display, have suffered a significant setback due to the delay of the Siri AI upgrade. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the device, which was expected to be released early this year, relies heavily on the delayed Siri capabilities.

The smart display, which would be Apple's first device of its kind, was expected to run on tvOS and support native Apple apps like Calendar, Notes, and Messages. The device was also rumored to be the first Apple smart home hub with support for Apple Intelligence. However, with the Siri AI upgrade being pushed back, it seems that the smart display will have to wait.

Apple announced last week that the upgraded smart assistant is taking "longer than we thought" and will be released in the "coming year." This means that the device may not be an iOS 18 feature as originally promised. The current version of Apple Intelligence does not offer any smart home features, making it difficult for Apple to release a smart display that relies on the delayed Siri AI upgrade.

Meanwhile, Apple's competitors, Amazon and Google, seem to be moving forward with their own smart home devices. Amazon has announced Alexa Plus, which will be integrated into its Echo Show smart display lineup, including the recently released Echo Show 21. Google, on the other hand, has begun its own rollout of Gemini, starting with some Nest speakers. However, it's worth noting that these are limited rollouts and not yet available to the general public.

The delay of the Siri AI upgrade and the subsequent postponement of the smart display raises questions about Apple's strategy in the smart home market. With Amazon and Google already offering similar devices, Apple's delay may give its competitors an opportunity to gain a foothold in the market. However, it's also possible that Apple is taking the time to perfect its technology, ensuring that its smart display is a game-changer when it's finally released.

As the smart home market continues to grow, Apple's delay may have significant implications for the company's position in the industry. With the smart display being a key component of Apple's smart home strategy, the delay may give competitors an opportunity to gain ground. However, only time will tell if Apple's decision to delay the Siri AI upgrade and the smart display will ultimately pay off.

In the meantime, Apple fans will have to wait and see how the company's smart home strategy unfolds. With the delay of the Siri AI upgrade and the smart display, it's clear that Apple is taking its time to get things right. Whether this delay will ultimately benefit the company remains to be seen.