Apple’s ‘Welcome home’ event: Here's what surprising products will Apple reveal at its October 13 smart home event

Apple is set to hold a new product launch in New York on October 13 at 9 a.m. ET. The company’s event invite carries the tagline “Welcome home,” pointing to a possible focus on smart home products. Apple is expected to unveil a new smart home hub, along with updates to the HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K. The company is also reportedly working with LG on other smart home devices, including a video doorbell, thermostat and indoor camera, as per a report by The Verge and MacRumors.

What could Apple launch on October 13?

The biggest announcement could be Apple’s long-rumored smart home hub. The device is expected to sit somewhere between an iPad and a HomePod, with a rumored 6-inch square display.


The hub is designed to control smart home products and could also be used for FaceTime calls, videos, news, weather and calendar information. It is expected to work with Siri AI, with voice serving as the main way to interact with the device.

Apple reportedly plans to offer the hub in different versions. One could be mounted on a wall, while another could have a half-dome speaker base similar to the iMac G4. A camera and presence sensor could identify who is in the room and display a customised interface with widgets and apps. Its price could be around $350.

What’s new with HomePod mini and Apple TV?

The HomePod mini is expected to receive new colours, an N1 networking chip for improved Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and a faster S-series processor that supports Siri AI. The Apple TV 4K could also receive a major update. Rumoured changes include an A19 or A19 Pro chip, more RAM, the N1 chip and an upgraded Siri Remote. An OLED iPad mini is also reportedly in development and could potentially appear during the home-focused launch. It is expected to have a faster chip, better water resistance and the first OLED display in a smaller iPad.

Apple’s smart home push has reportedly been in the works for some time. The company was apparently targeting a 2025 launch for the new hub, but delays involving the upgraded, AI-powered Siri reportedly pushed it back. Siri AI launched last month with a beta tag.

The October 13 launch will take place in New York, although it remains unclear whether it will be a traditional event or a press-release launch. Members of the media have been invited to an “Apple Experience” in Tribeca at 9 a.m., where they are expected to get hands-on time with the new products. Apple is also rumoured to have several Macs planned before the end of the year, though those products could arrive separately from the smart home launch.