TL;DR
Get decor and gifts delivered free — and shop member deals
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Access to Prime Big Deal Days deals on October 6–7
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman says Apple plans to announce a new AI-powered smart-home hub on Oct. 13, with a screen, camera and more personalized Siri features. Apple has not confirmed the report, and the product’s name, price and availability remain unknown. Gurman also reports updates are planned for HomePod mini and Apple TV.
Apple is reportedly planning to announce a new smart-home hub on Oct. 13, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says in his Power On newsletter, in a move that would add a screen-based device to the company’s HomePod and Apple TV lineup. The report describes a product built around more advanced Siri features, but Apple has not confirmed the event or the device.
According to Gurman, the hub will have a 6-inch rounded-corner display and a FaceTime camera. Voice and facial recognition would identify the person using it, then show personalized information such as calendars, notes and apps. The report says a visitor mode would hide personal information. It does not explain how the device would choose which person’s content to show when several people are nearby.
Gurman also reports that Apple plans to offer two physical versions: a countertop model with a screen attached to an articulating arm, and a wall-mounted version with the screen alone. Both would need a wall power source rather than relying on batteries. The reported design recalls the adjustable-arm style of Apple’s iMac G4, though Apple has not shown either version publicly.
The same report says Apple is preparing updates to HomePod mini and Apple TV. The devices are said to receive newer processors intended to handle Siri AI requests; the HomePod mini may also come in additional colors, including pink and green. These product details, like the hub’s features, remain based on Gurman’s reporting rather than an Apple announcement.
A New Screen for Apple’s Home
If the report proves accurate, the hub would give Apple a dedicated screen for household tasks that currently rely on phones, tablets, speakers or televisions. A shared home display with individual profiles could surface calendars and other personal information without requiring each person to pick up a device. The reported visitor mode addresses one privacy concern, but Apple has not explained how recognition would work or what data the device would store.
The product would also put Siri’s capabilities at the center of a new hardware category. Apple has faced delays in advancing Siri and Apple Intelligence, CNET’s report says. A hub that depends on more capable voice assistance would give customers a direct way to judge whether the company’s AI features are useful in everyday home routines. The reported processor upgrades for Apple TV and HomePod mini suggest Siri improvements may extend across the lineup.
Apple would also need to make a clear case for buying a dedicated display. Many customers already use an iPad or phone for recipes, video calls and household information. The hub’s always-available placement and personalized interface could distinguish it, but that value will depend on the final software, price and supported services.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
A Long-Rumored Home Display
Apple’s smart-home display has been rumored for years, with earlier speculation including a screen that could move on a robotic arm. CNET’s account says slow progress with Siri and Apple Intelligence delayed the device’s rollout. Gurman’s latest report points to an Oct. 13 announcement, but does not establish that the date is final.
The name HomePad has appeared in rumors, but Gurman’s report does not provide an official product name. Apple’s current home products include HomePod speakers and Apple TV streaming hardware; the reported hub would add a screen-focused device between those categories. Apple did not immediately respond to CNET’s request for comment.
“Apple plans to announce a new AI-powered smart-home hub on Oct. 13.”
— Mark Gurman, Bloomberg Power On newsletter, as summarized by CNET
Product Details Await Apple
Apple has not confirmed the Oct. 13 announcement, the hub’s specifications or the reported updates to HomePod mini and Apple TV. The report does not give a product name, price, release date or sales regions. It also does not clarify whether both hub designs would launch at the same time.
Several practical details remain open: how facial and voice recognition would identify household members, what happens when multiple people are present, how visitor mode works, and whether personalized answers could be continued through other Apple devices. The report suggests that users may be able to continue conversations elsewhere, but does not specify how that would function. Siri’s final capabilities and the device’s compatibility with existing smart-home products are also unconfirmed.
Watch for Apple’s Announcement
The next key milestone is whether Apple makes an announcement on Oct. 13, as Gurman reports. If it does, the company’s presentation should clarify the product name, price, availability, hardware options and how its Siri features handle personal data. Until then, the planned date and specifications should be treated as reported information, not confirmed product details.
Any announcement could also explain what changes are coming to HomePod mini and Apple TV, including processor upgrades and the reported speaker colors. Apple has not stated when any of the products would go on sale, so even a launch announcement may leave the timing of retail availability unresolved.
Key Questions
When is Apple reportedly announcing the smart-home hub?
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple plans to announce it on Oct. 13. Apple has not confirmed the date.
What features is the hub said to have?
The report describes a 6-inch screen, FaceTime camera and personalized Siri features, with voice and facial recognition intended to identify household members. These specifications have not been confirmed by Apple.
Will there be more than one version?
Gurman’s report describes a countertop model with an articulating arm and a wall-mounted version with the screen alone. Both reportedly require wall power; Apple has not confirmed either design.
Are HomePod mini and Apple TV also getting updates?
According to Gurman, Apple is preparing newer processors for both products to handle Siri AI requests. The HomePod mini may also come in additional colors, including pink and green. Apple has not announced these changes.
What are the hub’s price and release date?
The report provides no price or retail release date. Those details remain unknown unless Apple confirms them in a later announcement.
Source: rss
Fall Picks
fall essentials
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
