Apple is preparing to make a bigger move into the smart-home market, with a new home hub reportedly set to launch on October 13. The device, internally code-named J490, is expected to become the centerpiece of the company’s renewed efforts in connected-home hardware.
The launch would mark a new product category for Apple as it looks to extend its ecosystem beyond the iPhone, Apple Watch and existing HomePod and Apple TV products. Bloomberg News reported the planned launch, citing people familiar with the matter. Apple has not yet commented publicly on the report.
According to the Bloomberg report, Apple's upcoming hub will feature a roughly 6-inch square display. It will reportedly be available in configurations designed either for countertop use or wall mounting.
The device is expected to combine smart-home controls with personalized information and services. It will reportedly recognize individual household members and provide content and responses based on their accounts and personal data.
This approach would put Apple's device in the same broad category as products such as Amazon's Echo and Google's Google Home, although Apple's integration with its existing ecosystem could be a key part of its strategy.
The company is also reportedly developing software around the device that takes advantage of its upgraded Siri capabilities.
The smart-home push will reportedly extend beyond the new hub. Apple is expected to introduce an updated HomePod mini, marking the first refresh of the compact speaker since its 2020 debut.
A new Apple TV set-top box is also reportedly planned. It would be the first new Apple TV hardware since 2022. Both products are expected to retain their existing designs but receive faster processors. The upgraded hardware is intended to support more capable Siri AI features as Apple works to bring its artificial-intelligence technology deeper into its devices.
The reported October launch comes shortly after John Ternus took over as Apple's chief executive, following his long tenure as the company's hardware chief. Analysts expect his leadership to continue emphasizing Apple's strength in hardware and the integration of AI into its product ecosystem.
Apple has already been working on a broader Siri overhaul, and the new home products could give the assistant a more prominent role in everyday household tasks. The company currently has a relatively limited smart-home hardware lineup compared with rivals. The new hub, updated HomePod mini, and Apple TV could therefore represent Apple's increasing presence in the category, while keeping the products closely connected to its wider ecosystem.