Apple’s October 13 “Welcome Home” event is shaping up to be a major expansion of its smart home lineup, with three new devices and a collection of connected accessories expected to debut in New York.
New details about Apple’s upcoming announcements reveal the specifications, colors, and expected release dates for its first smart home hub, a second-generation HomePod mini, and an updated Apple TV 4K.
HomeView brings a screen to Apple’s smart home lineup
The biggest announcement is expected to be HomeView, a new smart home hub powered by an A18 chip and 8GB of RAM. A recently discovered trademark filing points to the HomeView name.
Apple reportedly plans two versions: a tabletop model with a metal speaker base and a wall-mounted version with a square mounting plate.
The tabletop model will come in Gray, Silver, Starlight, and Rose, while the wall-mounted version will be limited to Gray and Silver.
HomeView will support Siri and built-in Apple apps, although third-party apps won’t be available through an App Store. The tabletop version is also said to deliver better sound than the current HomePod mini.
While Apple is expected to introduce HomeView on October 13, sales aren’t expected to begin until mid-November.
The device will be joined by an Apple Home Collection developed with LG and Schneider Electric, including smart locks, a doorbell, thermostat, temperature sensor, and several security cameras. LG’s accessories are expected to arrive later this year at the earliest.
HomePod mini 2 and Apple TV 4K get faster chips
Six years after the original HomePod mini arrived, its successor is expected to replace the S5 processor with the S10 chip used in Apple Watch Series 10.
The speaker will reportedly come in five colors: green, pink, blue, white, and midnight.
Apple’s fourth-generation Apple TV 4K is expected to feature an A19 chip and 8GB of RAM. Built-in microphones for Siri are also being considered, while a redesigned Siri Remote could include a speaker to help owners locate it when misplaced.
Both products are expected to go on sale October 30, with preorders potentially opening shortly after Tuesday’s announcement.
Apple’s smart home plans are finally coming together
HomeView would give Apple a dedicated screen for managing connected devices, putting it in more direct competition with Amazon’s Echo Show and Google’s Nest Hub.
The combination of a new hub, refreshed speakers, an updated streaming box, and compatible accessories would also give Apple a more complete smart home lineup.
The October 13 event should clarify pricing and availability, particularly for HomeView and the new accessories, which are expected to arrive after the HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K.
