Apple to launch three home products at Welcome Home event

Apple confirmed it will hold a product launch event on October 13, 2026, under the tagline "Welcome home," expected to focus on new smart home products. Three devices are set to be introduced: a HomeView smart hub, an updated Apple TV 4K set-top box, and a HomePod mini 2 speaker. The announcement came through Apple's official confirmation, as reported on October 12, 2026.9to5mac.com+1

The event has two components: an in-person experience for members of the press in New York City, and what Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has called an "online video presentation." Reports suggest press releases and video content could drop around 9 a.m. ET/6 a.m. PT on October 13, though Apple has not confirmed timing. Apple is also planning a separate two-day showcase in Los Angeles on October 27 and October 28 for content creators.

What the event will feature

HomeView, Apple's long-rumored smart display, will be the headlining announcement. Bloomberg reports it will have a 6-inch square display atop a half-dome base, held up by a metal arm, with two variations: one wall-mountable and one for countertops. The design has been likened to Apple's iMac G4.

HomeView's flagship feature will be recognizing multiple people in a household. Mark Gurman reports it can recognize who is talking to it or approaching it and dynamically adjust what's shown on the screen. The hub will include a presence sensor and a camera, using a variation of Face ID to determine who is nearby and display customized content. Information from a linked iPhone, such as email, appears only after authenticating.

The HomeView interface will be heavily widget-based, resembling StandBy mode on the iPhone. Users can choose a preferred clock face or idle state, along with a home screen of widget options that open full apps. The software reportedly mixes elements of the Apple Watch, Apple TV, and iPad, with iPad-like app designs, Apple Watch-style icons, and iPhone widgets. The hub won't have its own App Store but will support Apple apps including Safari, News, Music, Reminders, Calendar, Weather, Messages, FaceTime, Photos, and Mail.

How HomeView works

HomeView will have no built-in battery and must stay connected to power via an included USB-C port. The speaker-equipped version is expected in gray, silver, starlight, and rose; the wall-mounted version in silver and gray. Multiple hubs will link together for multi-room music and intercom functionality, with sound quality expected to exceed the HomePod mini. While HomeView will be announced on October 13, reporting indicates it won't be available until sometime in November.macrumors.com

The new Apple TV 4K will be Apple's first update to the set-top box since November 2022. The design stays the same, but the internals change significantly: an A19 chip with 8GB of RAM, plus Apple's N1 networking chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. The A19 brings ray tracing and mesh shading for improved gaming graphics, and enables Siri AI features for the first time on Apple TV. Apple raised the current Apple TV's price to $199 in June, and the new model will be at least that expensive.

A new Siri Remote with an included speaker will make the remote easier to find if misplaced. Apple is also reportedly working on software features for Apple TV and HomePod, including code references to a feature that would let four full-sized HomePods be arranged in a surround sound system when paired with Apple TV. Apple has also been testing two new features for the upgraded Apple TV 4K, according to a report discussed on the 9to5Mac Daily podcast on October 12, 2026.

The other two products

The HomePod mini will receive its first proper upgrade with a new S10 chip, much faster than the current model's S5 processor, bringing support for Siri AI. For context, the S5 chip in the current HomePod mini is the same chip Apple debuted with the Apple Watch Series 5. The new model will also get second-generation Ultra Wideband for Handoff and the N1 networking chip with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Because the HomePod likely can't handle much on-device processing, it will need a nearby AI-capable device for Siri AI.

HomePod mini pricing rose from $99 to $129 in June 2026, and the new model will likely be priced at $129 as well. New colors are expected: white, blue, black, sage, and pink. A report discussed on the 9to5Mac Daily podcast on October 12, 2026 indicated the HomePod mini 2 will release on October 30. Siri AI on HomePod mini will have the context of Siri interactions on other devices, with conversations likely saved to a connected iPhone's Siri app.

Apple also worked with LG on an "Apple Home Collection" of accessories to be marketed alongside HomeView, including an LG-branded wired video doorbell, thermostat, smart deadbolt lock, temperature sensor, indoor security camera, outdoor security camera, and floodlight camera. These will work with the home hub and the HomeKit platform.

Apple's separate two-day showcase in Los Angeles on October 27 and October 28, planned for content creators rather than a traditional live-streamed event, is expected to feature four products announced on or around October 27: 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with OLED displays, a 24-inch iMac with an M6 chip, a 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M6 chip, and an iPad mini 8 with an OLED display and A20 Pro chip. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said this will likely be Apple's final major launch in 2026.