Apple’s ‘Welcome Home’ Event Set for October 13: New Home Hub, HomePod Mini and Apple TV Expected

Apple is preparing for a major smart-home push with an event scheduled for October 13, teased by Apple executive Greg Joswiak with the message, “Welcome home.” The accompanying image features an Apple logo embroidered in multiple colours, further hinting that the event will focus on the company’s home products.

The biggest announcement is expected to be a new Apple smart-home hub, which has been rumoured for several years. The device is reportedly designed around a display measuring around 6 to 7 inches and could be offered in both tabletop and wall-mounted versions. The tabletop model is expected to feature a speaker base and a design inspired by the iMac G4.

The new device is expected to serve as a central control panel for Apple’s smart-home ecosystem. It could allow users to control HomeKit-compatible devices, access apps such as Photos, Music, Weather, Calendar and Notes, make FaceTime calls and interact with Siri. Reports also suggest that the device could recognise different members of a household and display personalised information based on who is using it.

The smart-home hub is also expected to introduce Apple’s new homeOS platform. Leaks suggest the software will combine elements of iOS, iPadOS and watchOS, with widgets, apps and a touch-focused interface designed specifically for use around the home. Siri and Apple Intelligence are expected to play a central role in the experience.

Apple is also expected to launch a new HomePod mini. The second-generation speaker is reportedly set to retain a design similar to the current model but could receive a newer processor, improved audio, Wi-Fi 7 and Apple’s newer networking technology. New colour options have also been rumoured.

A new Apple TV 4K could also debut at the event. Reports suggest that Apple may upgrade the device with a newer A-series chip, potentially the A19 or A19 Pro, along with more RAM and Wi-Fi 7 support. The additional performance could help Apple bring more advanced Siri and Apple Intelligence features to the TV experience. An updated Siri Remote has also been rumoured.

Apple’s wider smart-home strategy could extend beyond its own hardware. Reports indicate that the company has been working with LG on accessories including a smart lock, thermostat, temperature and humidity sensors, doorbells and security cameras. These products are expected to integrate with Apple’s smart-home ecosystem, although it remains unclear which of them will be announced alongside the October 13 products.

Apple is also reportedly developing more ambitious home products, including a tabletop device with a larger display mounted on a robotic arm. However, that product is reportedly planned for a later launch, potentially in 2027.

With the October 13 event, Apple appears set to make a much more serious push into the smart-home market. The company is expected to position Apple Intelligence and its upgraded Siri as the foundation of this new ecosystem, bringing Apple’s AI capabilities beyond the iPhone, Mac and Apple Watch and into the home.