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In the latest episode of 9to5Mac Overtime, hosts Jeff Benjamin and Fernando Silva discuss Apple's rumored 'Welcome Home' event and an anticipated smart home hub called HomePad, which reportedly combines a speaker with a display. They also cover newly surfaced iOS 27.2 code references pointing to third-party smart home products, including devices from LG.
Apple is reportedly unveiling a new smart home device called 'HomePad' at a 'Welcome home' event next Tuesday. Rumored features include a Photos app face that cycles through Apple Photos images like a digital picture frame, on-screen lyrics during Apple Music playback, and an upgraded Siri AI capable of showing visual responses on its display.
Apple has officially confirmed a product launch event for October 13, branded with a 'Welcome home' tagline, pointing to smart home announcements. The event will combine an in-person press gathering in New York with an online video presentation, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, with details expected to drop around 9 a.m. ET.
According to Bloomberg, Apple is preparing to launch its first smart display, dubbed 'HomePad,' combining a 6-inch square screen with HomePod-style speakers in either a round mount or wall-mounted configuration. The device will run a new tvOS-based system called 'homeOS,' controlled primarily via Siri but also supporting touchscreen input, customizable interface elements similar to Apple Watch and StandBy mode, and iPadOS-style apps.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports Apple is planning an event on October 13 to introduce three new products: a long-rumored smart home hub with a screen, an updated HomePod mini, and a refreshed Apple TV. He says all three devices will feature Siri AI at their core. Gurman had earlier reported the October 13 launch date but had not previously described it as a formal event.
Bloomberg has reported that Apple intends to introduce a long-rumored smart home hub, a redesigned HomePod mini, and a Siri-enhanced Apple TV 4K on October 13. The report did not say whether these products will be revealed via a dedicated event or simply through press releases, as Apple has done with some recent launches.
Apple is set to introduce a new smart home hub called the HomePad on October 13, which will operate on a new system rumored to be named homeOS. The operating system will incorporate design elements from various Apple OS platforms, including widgets, app layouts, and icons, with a user interface centered around photo slideshows and clock displays. Siri AI will serve as the primary interaction method, complemented by touch controls for Apple apps and a Home Screen.
On the 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcast, hosts Chance Miller and Benjamin Mayo discuss rumors that Apple's smart display, dubbed 'HomePad,' could launch on October 13 with a small square screen. They also cover leaked photos suggesting imminent iPad mini and HomePod mini updates, reports that Apple executive John Ternus wants to make the company more nimble, and the new Apple Watch Readiness feature.
Leaker pdfu posted setup-process images suggesting Apple's rumored smart home hub, nicknamed 'HomePad,' will be offered in Silver, Space Gray, Starlight, and Rose Pink. The images reportedly show a 'Photo Face' setup screen that selects preview art based on the device's color, hinting at a square form factor. The device is said to be launching October 13.
Leaker pdfu, who previously uncovered iPhone Duo StandBy mode screens in Apple's Xcode simulator, has now found evidence that Apple's upcoming HomePad will include a similar 'Photo Face' setup step. According to the leaker, the HomePad setup process runs through the Home app and prompts users to create a Photo Face using iCloud Photos, pulling in a few high-resolution images immediately while the full library downloads.
Apple is said to be preparing to release its long-rumored smart home hub device around mid-October, alongside a refreshed HomePod Mini. The report suggests both products could debut close together in the same timeframe.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports Apple will unveil three new Home products on October 13, including a rumored 'HomePad' device and an updated HomePod mini, but a redesigned full-size HomePod won't be among them. Gurman says Apple still intends to update the larger speaker eventually, though no timeline was given.