Brief Overview
- Apple reportedly plans to launch its long-delayed Siri-powered smart-home hub on October 13.
- The hub is expected to have a 6-inch display, recognize each family member, and offer privacy tools such as visitor mode.
- A new HomePod mini and Apple TV are also expected, though Apple has not confirmed any of the products.
Apple plans to launch its long-delayed smart-home hub on October 13, as per a Bloomberg report citing people familiar with the matter. The device is code-named J490. However, Apple has not confirmed the date or the products.
The launch would be an early test for new CEO John Ternus, who became chief executive on 1 September.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the Smart Hub that is expected to be introduced at the event.
Apple Smart Home Hub Specifications
The hub is expected to have a roughly 6-inch square display, with versions that can be mounted on a wall or placed on a countertop. It will reportedly have a front FaceTime camera and a USB-C port for power.
It will likely come in Apple’s standard gray aluminum finish. Reports say the design draws inspiration from the old iMac G4.
The hub runs a new operating system built around Siri. Apple has reportedly been testing it in employees’ homes.
Its main feature is serving several people in one home. It is meant to recognize each family member and show personal content based on their data.
A visitor mode will reportedly hide personal details when a stranger is nearby. Users can also add a second layer of security through their iPhone.
The iPhone also works as a backup when the hub cannot identify someone.
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More Devices on the Way
The hub will not arrive alone. Apple is also expected to announce the first update to the HomePod mini since its 2020 debut, along with its first new TV set-top box since 2022.
Both are expected to keep their current designs. The main change is faster chips to support Apple’s stronger Siri AI models.
Apple had been expected to launch the hub in March 2025. It put it on hold after its upgraded Siri slipped. That upgraded assistant didn’t arrive until this year as Siri AI.
Tough Competition Ahead
Once on sale, the hub will compete with Amazon’s Echo Show and Google’s Nest Hub. Apple has long trailed both companies in the smart home space.
Apple also plans to work with other makers on devices for its home platform. It is reportedly developing a home security camera and a larger hub with a robotic arm too.
What to Watch Next
It is still unclear whether Apple will hold a full event or simply release the products through press releases and videos. The price and the exact Siri features at launch are also unknown.
For now, everything remains a report, and buyers should wait for Apple’s official word.
FAQs
Is Apple releasing a smart home hub?
Yes, Apple reportedly plans to launch its first smart-home hub on October 13, but the company has not confirmed it yet.
Will Apple release a new HomePod in 2026?
A new HomePod mini is reportedly coming on October 13, its first update since 2020, though Apple has not officially announced it.
How much will the Apple Home Hub cost?
Apple has not shared a price, so the cost is unknown until the official launch.
