Apple's 'Welcome Home' Event Set for October 13
Apple has announced a special event for Tuesday, October 13, inviting members of the press to a "Welcome Home" experience in Tribeca, New York. The event, scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. ET, is widely anticipated to unveil a range of new smart home products.
Smart Home Hub and New Devices Expected
The centerpiece of the event is expected to be a long-rumored smart home hub, potentially named HomePad. This new device is described as a cross between an iPad and a HomePod, featuring a display and designed for multi-room installation. Rumors suggest it will integrate with Siri AI, offering voice control for smart home products, FaceTime calls, video playback, news, weather updates, and calendar management. Reports indicate it may have a 6-inch or 7-inch display and could run on a new operating system called homeOS, with a dashboard similar to the iPhone's StandBy mode. Some speculation suggests there will be wall-mounted and speaker-based versions of the hub.
Refreshed Apple TV and HomePod Mini
Alongside the new home hub, Apple is also expected to announce updated versions of its Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini. These refreshed devices are anticipated to receive performance boosts that will enhance Apple's smart home ecosystem. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has reported that the smart display's development was delayed until Siri AI was sufficiently advanced, and he also suggested the upcoming home hub might use AI facial recognition to tailor its display and data to different users.
Potential for Additional Smart Home Accessories
Beyond the core devices, there are also rumors of Apple collaborating with LG on new smart home accessories. These could include a video doorbell, thermostat, and indoor camera, with some renders of these devices reportedly leaking prior to the event. While Apple has not officially detailed the products to be unveiled, the "Welcome home" tagline strongly suggests a major push into the smart home market.
💬 Comments (0)