**Apple’s Smart Home Division Confronts Obstacles Following Key Departure**
Apple’s smart home division is facing notable obstacles after the exit of Brian Lynch, the hardware chief for home devices. As reported by Bloomberg, Lynch has departed Apple to take on the role of senior vice president of hardware engineering at Oura, a manufacturer of smart rings. This shift represents yet another hurdle for Apple’s smart home initiative, which has recently encountered delays and challenges.
Lynch’s departure is especially significant as he had been responsible for the hardware development of new devices within Apple’s smart home division since 2022. His exit arrives at a moment when Apple is said to be postponing the rollout of its eagerly awaited smart display, an initiative that has been delayed several times due to persistent issues with Siri, Apple’s voice assistant. An update to Siri is considered crucial for providing personalized data to the smart display, underlining the interdependence of hardware and software within Apple’s product ecosystem.
Before his position in the smart home division, Lynch was involved with Apple’s self-driving car initiative and was instrumental in the development of various iPod models. His departure follows that of DJ Novotney, who resigned as vice president of program management for the home hardware group in 2024, reflecting a trend of significant departures from this segment.
The smart home team at Apple is currently under the leadership of Matt Costello, who also manages audio engineering and Beats products. Costello reports to John Ternus, who is deeply engaged in Apple’s smart home initiatives and considers this domain essential for the company’s future expansion. Despite the challenges, Apple is rumored to be developing several new home products, including a video doorbell featuring Face ID and integration with smart locks, suggesting that the company is still devoted to broadening its smart home portfolio.
For more detailed insights, you can read the full report by Bloomberg [here](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-17/apple-s-head-of-home-hardware-leaves-for-smart-ring-maker-oura?srnd=undefined&embedded-checkout=true).