Industry Odisha Bureau, Oct 09: Apple is expected to expand its smart home lineup on October 13 at its upcoming launch event. The new devices tipped include a home hub, an updated HomePod mini and a refreshed Apple TV 4K, among others.
The company has teased the event with the tagline “Welcome Home.” This has fuelled speculation about its plans for connected home devices. Apple SVP of Marketing Greg Joswiak shared a teaser on X showing two people embroidering a retro Apple logo, followed by the event date.
The gathering, however, is expected to be a media experience rather than a traditional Apple launch event. Reports suggest it will begin at 9 am ET (6:30 pm IST) in New York.
The centrepiece could be a new smart home hub, by the name of HomePad. It is expected to feature a 6-inch display and likely to come in two versions: one for wall mounting and another with a speaker base for tabletop use. A camera for video calls and features such as voice and facial recognition are also expected. Its reported starting price is $350 in the US.
Apple may also unveil an updated HomePod mini. It is to have a faster processor, an N1 networking chip, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread support. New colours and upgraded Siri features are also tipped.
A new Apple TV 4K could also be introduced in the lineup, potentially bringing a faster processor, more RAM and updated networking hardware.
Reports have also pointed to smart home accessories developed with LG, including a video doorbell, thermostat and indoor camera. These products, however, are likely to go on sale later. Meanwhile, rumors also suggest that Apple could have more launches planned for October, including new Macs and OLED iPad mini.
