Apple to Launch Smart Home Hub, HomePod Mini on October 13

Apple reportedly plans to launch a new smart-home hub, updated HomePod mini and Apple TV on October 13, expanding its connected-home ecosystem with upgraded Siri capabilities and faster processors.

Apple is reportedly preparing to expand its presence in the smart-home market with a new home hub, an updated Home Pod mini and a refreshed Apple TV, with the devices expected to be introduced on October 13, 2026. The reported launch would represent Apple's first major expansion of its home-device lineup in several years.

The new smart-home hub, reportedly code-named J490, is expected to feature a square display measuring approximately six inches. The device could be placed on a tabletop or mounted on a wall, positioning it alongside display-based smart-home products such as Amazon's Echo Show and Google's Nest Hub.

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The hub is expected to place Siri at the centre of the user experience. Reports indicate that it could recognise individual household members and provide personalised information and responses based on their profiles. It may also allow users to control connected smart-home devices while accessing Apple services, media and video-calling features through a unified interface.

Apple is also reportedly preparing the first hardware update for the HomePod mini since its debut in 2020. The speaker is expected to retain its existing design while receiving a faster processor to support newer Siri capabilities. Reports also point to an updated wireless chip that could improve connectivity features, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Thread. The HomePod mini already serves as a home hub for compatible smart-home accessories, including Thread-enabled Matter devices.

The company is further expected to introduce a new Apple TV set-top box, marking its first reported hardware refresh since 2022. The new model could feature a more powerful processor to support enhanced Siri functionality and other software capabilities. A redesigned Siri Remote has also been reported, although details remain limited.

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Together, the three products could expand Apple's role in connected-home management by combining smart-home controls, entertainment and AI-powered assistance across its ecosystem. However, Apple has not officially confirmed the October 13 launch date or the reported specifications of the upcoming devices.