Apple to unveil smart home hub and homeOS at October 13 event
Apple is holding a 'Welcome Home' event in New York on October 13th, where it's expected to announce a new smart home hub, refreshed Apple TV and HomePod Mini, and partner devices from LG. Reports suggest the hub will feature a 6-inch touchscreen, run new software called homeOS, and use voice or facial recognition to identify users. A rumored touchscreen MacBook is not expected to appear at this event, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The hub's apparent lack of an App Store suggests Apple may be positioning it as a dedicated smart-home control device rather than a tablet competitor, which could signal a narrower but more focused strategy for entering the smart home market. If homeOS becomes a standalone platform, it could indicate Apple is building infrastructure to compete more directly with Amazon and Google in home automation.
- Apple's 'Welcome Home' event is set for October 13th in New York.
- A new smart home hub with a 6-inch touchscreen and facial/voice recognition is expected, reportedly running new software called homeOS.
- The anticipated touchscreen MacBook will not debut at this event, per Mark Gurman's reporting.
Apple HomePod mini — While we wait to see what new smart home hub Apple unveils, the HomePod mini is a great way to start building an Apple-centric smart home today. It integrates seamlessly with Siri and HomeKit accessories, making it a solid companion piece for whatever Apple announces next.Your home gets smarter and more connected right away.
See Apple HomePod mini on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: theverge.com — Terrence O'Brien, 2026-10-11
Published there as: “What to expect from Apple’s ‘Welcome Home’ event”
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