Apple's First Smart Home Hub Expected to Debut October 13
Apple is expected to introduce a new smart home hub during its October 13 product launch. The device is rumored to have a 6-inch square screen, an A18 or newer chip for Apple Intelligence, and a new homeOS platform for controlling HomeKit accessories, security, photos, calendars, music, and FaceTime. It may come in tabletop and wall-mounted versions, with no third-party apps or App Store at launch.
Apple has announced a "Welcome home" event for Tuesday, October 13. The company may reveal the hub through an Apple Newsroom press release around 9 a.m. ET, when a private New York hands-on experience begins for invited media and creators. The rumored device is a 6-inch square smart home display with an A18-class chip or newer, supporting Apple Intelligence and Siri AI.
It is expected to run a new homeOS-like platform with clock faces and widgets, plus built-in Calendar, Camera, Music, Podcasts, News, Reminders, Notes, and Siri. A desktop variant with a speaker stand and a wall-mounted option are also rumored. No third-party apps or App Store are expected initially. Names could include Apple Home or HomeView.
A family-focused Apple home hub could make everyday tasks like checking calendars, viewing cameras, playing music, and making video calls more accessible from shared spaces. It may also strengthen Apple's role in connected homes, potentially influencing rival smart-display makers and app developers. Because third-party apps and an App Store may be absent at first, users could face a more curated but less flexible experience. Its success may depend on whether households value convenience and Apple integration over openness.