GoKawiil
Tech News
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports Apple is widely testing a home hub smart display powered by Siri AI, which could debut as early as next month. The device reportedly uses Face ID for user recognition and will come in both stand-mounted and wall-mounted versions, with its own home screen, widgets and StandBy-like clock faces.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is preparing to unveil a new AI-powered home hub device—nicknamed 'HomePad'—as soon as next month. The gadget will run a custom operating system blending elements of iOS, tvOS and watchOS, built around Siri, and will come in tabletop or wall-mounted versions with a square touchscreen.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman outlines Apple's near-term product roadmap, saying six devices should ship before year's end, including touchscreen MacBook Pro models, an updated non-touch 14-inch MacBook Pro, a refreshed iMac with an M6 chip, a HomePod mini 2 and Apple TV 4K with Siri AI, and an OLED iPad mini. The long-rumored HomePad smart display remains unconfirmed for this window, with Gurman calling its timing still fluid. He also previews a first-half-2027 wave covering an iPhone Air 2, an OLED iPad Air, and mostly iterative chip upgrades across iPhone, MacBook Air, MacBook Neo and iPad Pro lines.
Apple has released HomePod 27 alongside iOS 27, bringing two main upgrades: AutoMix for Apple Music, which blends songs together with beatmatching and time-stretching similar to a live DJ set, and improved AirPlay performance for quicker, more reliable connections between HomePod and other Apple devices. The update also includes general bug fixes and security patches, and is installed through the Home app's Software Update section.
9to5Mac's daily podcast episode for September 8, 2026 rounds up recent reporting on rumored HomePod developments and anticipated changes to the App Store. The episode is available across major podcast platforms and is sponsored by productivity app Stuff and device-management tool iMazing.
Ahead of Apple's expected unveiling of Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Series 12, leaker pdfu found references in watchOS 27 code pointing to a new Readiness app placed near Workout on the home screen, expanded strength-training logging with sets, reps, weight and equipment data, a new optical sensor system, and possible 128GB of storage tied to a new chip. The same leaker previously surfaced details on HomePod surround sound and iOS 27 camera features.
Code strings found in audioOS 27 beta 8 by a MacRumors forum user reveal Apple is developing a quad-HomePod surround sound configuration alongside a new 'Party Mode' feature. The surround setup would let two front and two rear second-generation HomePods each apply distinct audio processing, dynamically adjusting based on content like movies or music. A separate reference to a 'Forklift' system suggests pairing two existing HomePods with unreleased speaker hardware.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is working on a privacy-focused home security camera and automation device that uses AI to analyze surroundings rather than recording video footage. This hardware will connect to a new subscription-based home security and monitoring service slated to arrive in 2027.
Apple's upcoming September 9 event is expected to bring new iPhones, Apple Watches, and other devices, which will likely push more than ten current products out of the lineup. Items rumored for discontinuation include the iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, AirPods 4 models, Apple TV 4K, and both HomePod versions.
Apple is reportedly preparing a new Apple TV 4K that could debut at its September 9 event, after being delayed from last fall. Leaked code and reports point to an updated Siri Remote, a faster A-series chip, the new N1 wireless chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and integration of Siri AI alongside broader Apple Intelligence features.
A new beta of iOS 27 quietly adds an 'Apple Intelligence Report' toggle inside the Home app for Apple TV and HomePod devices, according to a post from Apple Home Authority on X. The option only appears when the TV or speaker is running the paired tvOS 27 or HomePod 27 beta, suggesting Apple is laying groundwork for AI features on these products rather than just iPhones. Apple notably left tvOS and HomePod out of its WWDC messaging about a unified Siri experience, fueling speculation about unreleased hardware.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports Apple is making major layout changes to its retail stores this fall, including reorganizing the Avenues sections and adding new accessory bays. While Apple was expected to release only a refreshed HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K, the scope of these store changes suggests the long-rumored smart home hub with a display may launch at the same time.