Apple’s smart-home commitment faces a key test at its October event
The article reflects on the Home app's launch in 2016 and argues it never matched successes like AirPods or Apple Watch. It says Apple has been less committed to home tech and that the October 13 'Welcome Home' event could change that. Expected announcements include an updated HomePod mini, a new Apple TV, and a home hub resembling a hybrid tablet and speaker.
Apple introduced its Home app on September 13, 2016, letting users manage compatible third-party smart-home devices through iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. Unlike AirPods, released a week earlier, or Apple Watch, launched the previous year, Home never became a breakout first-party success.
At its October 13 "Welcome Home" event, Apple is expected to refresh the HomePod mini and Apple TV and introduce a new home hub that blends tablet and speaker features. Reports also point to LG-partnered smart-home accessories, with Schneider possibly involved, though branding may not be Apple's own.
Apple’s deeper smart-home push could make home control feel more cohesive for people already using its devices, while accessory makers may face pressure to support its ecosystem. A new hub and LG-branded products may broaden options, but adoption could depend on price, trust, and cross-platform compatibility. The event may show whether smart homes become a more mainstream Apple priority.