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At its 'Welcome Home' event, Apple introduced HomeView, its first dedicated smart home hub, priced at $299 with a 7-inch touchscreen, 12-megapixel camera, and facial recognition for up to six users. The company also refreshed the HomePod Mini and Apple TV 4K, and unveiled new smart home and security accessories built with third-party manufacturers.
Apple unveiled the Apple Home Collection, a line of smart home products co-developed with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric, including security cameras, a video doorbell, a smart lock, and two thermostats. The announcement came at Apple's Welcome Home event in New York, alongside new Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini 2 hardware, marking Apple's first self-branded devices for its Apple Home platform after years of relying on third-party manufacturers.
Apple unveiled the HomePod Mini 2, priced at $149 (up $20 from the original), featuring an S10 chip, new pink/green/blue color options, sound glow LED lighting synced to album art, and Mac default-speaker support. Preorders begin October 13th with shipping on October 30th, but the Siri AI features the chip is built to support won't be available until a later software update. Apple also announced the HomeView smart display, a new Apple TV 4K, and smart home devices made with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric.
Apple unveiled a fourth-generation Apple TV 4K featuring built-in far-field microphones for hands-free Siri interaction and a redesigned remote with Find My support. The device, part of Apple's broader smart home push alongside a HomeView display and HomePod Mini 2, costs $299, runs on an A19 chip, and supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and surround sound pairing with up to four HomePods. Preorders began October 13th, with availability starting November 13th.
At its 'Welcome Home' event on October 13th, Apple introduced HomeView, its first dedicated smart home display, alongside a new range of partner-made smart home devices including cameras, thermostats and a smart lock. The company also refreshed the HomePod Mini and Apple TV 4K, both now featuring updated Siri AI capabilities.
Apple is expected to introduce an updated Apple TV 4K at its 'Welcome home' event on October 13, its first refresh since 2022. Rumored changes include an A19 chip replacing the A15 Bionic, a built-in microphone for hands-free Siri access, an updated Siri Remote with a speaker, and a new N1 wireless chip.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports Apple will release a second-generation HomePod mini on October 30, alongside a refreshed Apple TV 4K, with the new HomeView smart home hub following in mid-November. The updated speaker is said to feature Apple's S10 chip, an N1 networking chip for Thread/Matter and Wi-Fi 7, Siri AI support, and new pink, green and blue color options.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports Apple experimented with built-in microphones on the next Apple TV 4K, which would let users issue Siri commands without a remote or HomePod. Apple also tested a new Siri Remote with a built-in speaker to help locate it when misplaced. The device is expected to launch alongside a HomePod mini on October 30, ahead of Apple's October 13 'Welcome home' event.
Apple has classified the original 2017 Apple TV 4K as a 'vintage' product on its support site, a status it applies once five years have passed since a device stopped being sold. Under this designation, Apple can still offer repairs, but only if replacement parts remain available.
Bloomberg reports Apple is developing smart home devices with LG, including a doorbell, lock and thermostat that will carry LG's branding. LG will manufacture the products and provide customer support, while Apple contributes to design and engineering. The lineup is also expected to include a smart deadbolt, indoor and outdoor security cameras, and a floodlight camera, though the products are still months from release.
Leaked code from the latest beta software reveals upcoming features for Apple’s next-generation Apple TV 4K and HomePod devices, set to be announced next week. These include Siri AI enhancements for Apple TV, Dynamic Island controls for nearby HomeKit accessories, and improved surround sound capabilities for the HomePod, along with expanded media options for Apple TV profiles.
Apple is expected to launch an updated Apple TV 4K on October 13, bringing the Siri AI overhaul to tvOS for the first time and upgrading the chip from the current A15 Bionic to an A19-class processor. Code references spotted by leaker Aaron Perris show an 'AppleTV18,1' identifier, matching the numbering used for iPhone 17 chips.