Apple’s October 13 “Welcome home” event is expected to bring three major announcements to its smart home lineup: an all-new display-equipped home hub, an updated HomePod mini and a new Apple TV.
Apple has confirmed the event date and tagline, but not the products it plans to introduce. The expectations come from reporting by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and other details that have emerged ahead of the announcement.
The headline product is expected to be a new home hub, often called HomePad in rumors. Bloomberg has described a device with a roughly 6-inch touchscreen, a speaker and a tabletop design inspired by the iMac G4. A wall-mounted version has also been reported.
The hub could bring together smart home controls, shared calendars, photos and FaceTime in a single household device. Siri AI is expected to play a central role, letting family members interact with information and connected accessories by voice.
A second-generation HomePod mini is also anticipated. Reports point to a more capable processor and audio improvements, with Siri AI support a major reason for the refresh. Apple has not confirmed specifications, colors or pricing.
The third expected announcement is a new Apple TV 4K. Rumors suggest faster silicon and deeper integration with Siri AI and Apple’s Home ecosystem, although it is not yet clear which features will require the new hardware.
Beyond Apple-branded products, the company is reportedly working with LG on a separate range of accessories. Leaked images have offered an early look at a smart lock, thermostat and temperature sensor, but those devices have not been confirmed as part of the event.
Other rumored Apple products, including new Macs and an OLED iPad mini, have also been discussed for October. There is no confirmation that they will appear at the “Welcome home” presentation, which so far has been promoted specifically around the home.