Apple plans to launch its first smart home hub on 13 October 2026, according to Bloomberg reporting summarised by The Next Web. A new HomePod mini and a new Apple TV are expected the same day. Apple has not confirmed any of this, so everything below is reported, not announced.
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What is expected on 13 October
| Device | What is reported |
|---|---|
| Smart home hub (code-named J490) | A new product with a roughly 6-inch display, built around Siri AI |
| HomePod mini | The first update since the speaker launched in 2020 |
| Apple TV | The first new box since 2022 |
The press has nicknamed the hub the "HomePad". Its official name is not known.
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The hub's design
The hub is said to take its design from the iMac G4, with a display mounted above a base. Earlier Bloomberg reporting described a second version that attaches to a wall with magnets.
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It is reportedly about as thick as an iPhone, with black bezels and no volume or power buttons, Thurrott reports.
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Software and Siri AI
The hub runs a new operating system built around Siri. Reports describe it as a blend of the Apple Watch, Apple TV and iPad interfaces.
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It can recognise who is using it by face or voice. Each person then sees their own widgets, calendar and music.
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Why it is late
The hub is about 18 months behind schedule. Apple had been expected to launch it in March 2025, The Next Web reports. It was put on hold when the upgraded Siri slipped, and that assistant only arrived this year as Siri AI.
The launch would be an early product expansion under John Ternus, who became chief executive on 1 September.
Who Apple is up against
Amazon's Echo Show and Google's Nest Hub lead the smart display market. Echo Show devices now start at $219.99, according to Thurrott. No price for Apple's hub has been reported.
What comes next
A more advanced version with a larger display on a robotic arm is also in development, according to the same reporting.
What it means for developers
- A new screen for HomeKit. Smart home apps and accessories get a dedicated Apple display for the first time.
- Siri AI as the interface. Voice and personalised views matter more than app grids on this device.
- Wait for the SDK details. Apple has not said what third-party apps can do on the hub.
We will cover the launch in Gadgets and follow up in Reviews. For launch-day coverage, subscribe to our newsletter.
