Apple could enter a new market in the smart home with the launch of its long-anticipated smart home hub, called HomePad. It will launch on October 13, 2026, and it will be updated at HomePod mini and Apple TV. Apple has not yet said what the launch date will be or what it will be called yet, so the details are still in the news cycle.
The HomePad would be a new product category for Apple and could be a central control point for smart home devices. The company already has HomePod, HomePod mini, and Apple TV as home hubs in its Home ecosystem, but the new device will have a separate display with a speaker and Siri-based controls. Apple currently describes HomePod, HomePod mini, and Apple TV as smart home hubs that can automate and control compatible accessories.
Apple HomePad Reportedly Coming On October 13
Bloomberg has also provided a more detailed timeline for Apple's smart home expansion, with October 13 being the date they expect it to launch. Early news had suggested that Apple's smart home hub might arrive sometime in October, but the latest information narrows that window to a particular date.
The October 13 launch is expected to include three products: the new smart home hub, a refreshed HomePod mini, and an updated Apple TV. But at this stage, it is not clear if Apple will hold a traditional in-person event or announce the products through press releases and other online announcements.
The timing would also make the launch one of the first major product expansions under Apple's new CEO John Ternus, who took over the position in September 2026.
HomePad May Get iMac G4-Inspired Design
One of the most interesting elements of the rumoured HomePad is its design. Reports suggest that it will have a 6-inch square display above a speaker base, and it will have a very much Apple’s iMac G4 look.
The iMac G4 was known for its hemispherical base and adjustable display mounted on a metal arm. The HomePad design is expected to borrow some of that visual concept while adapting it for a modern smart home device.
And some reports have suggested that Apple could give the device different places to be placed. One version is likely to be on a table or countertop, and another on a wall. It would allow the device to function in some places in a room– from a kitchen counter to a living room wall.
The device will likely run on a USB-C power connection rather than a battery. The display also could support a whole lot more than just smart home controls, perhaps widgets, communication features, music, and personalised information.
Siri AI Could Be The Biggest Feature
Siri AI is expected to be central to the HomePad experience. Apple has already announced its more powerful Siri AI system, and it says that its new Siri experience is personal and highly capable.
As for the HomePad, Siri could be used to enable users to control compatible smart home accessories using voice commands as well as information on the screen. The device is said to recognize different members of a household and provide personalised content for them.
That could make the HomePad different from a smart display. Instead of simply a touchscreen controller, it could become an always-available interface for Apple’s wider ecosystem.
Apple’s existing Home platform already allows users to control lights, security devices, climate accessories, and other compatible products. Matter support also enables compatible smart home accessories to work across different platforms.
New HomePod Mini And Apple TV Could Also Arrive
Apple’s October 13 product push won’t only be limited to the HomePad. The company is also expected to introduce a refreshed HomePod mini, and it would be the first major revision to the compact speaker since its launch in 2020. And we’re hearing that new colour options and hardware to support Siri AI would be available.
A new Apple TV 4K is also expected. The device would be similar in shape to the current model, but with hardware upgrades to support Apple’s new AI capabilities and Siri.
The three products could form the foundation of a greater smart home strategy, with the HomePad as the dedicated display-based controller and the HomePod mini and Apple TV still a part of Apple's home ecosystem.
Apple Could Expand Its Smart Home Strategy
The new HomePad launch comes as Apple focuses on the smart home. To date, HomePod, HomePod mini, and Apple TV have been used as home hubs, but a dedicated display would make it easier for people to see connected devices.
The product might also put Apple in direct competition with smart displays and home assistants from Amazon and Google. Apple’s hardware design and ecosystem integration with Siri AI could allow the company to approach the category differently.
Many details remain to be determined, however. Apple has not yet publicly confirmed the HomePad name, October 13 launch date, pricing, or final specifications. The company has also not said whether the product announcements will be made in a conventional event on October 13.
If the launch goes ahead, the HomePad could become one of Apple’s biggest new hardware categories in years. The integration of a dedicated display, speaker, smart home controls, and Siri AI would give Apple an entirely new way to put its ecosystem into the center of users’ homes.
