.png){kind=logo}
Apple may launch a new smart-home hub, an updated HomePod mini, and a refreshed Apple TV 4K on October 13th. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman shared the details in a report. The tech giant has not confirmed the event or any of the products. The launch would mark a bigger step into smart-home devices for the company.
The hub is the biggest part of the story. Inside Apple, it is called J490. Many people expect it to be named the HomePad. It is said to have a screen of about 6 inches. The screen would sit on top of a speaker base. The look may remind people of the old iMac G4. A metal stand would let users tilt the screen. Apple is also said to be working on a wall-mounted version.
The hub should handle smart-home controls. It may also support FaceTime calls, music, photo displays, intercom messages, and apps. Voice and face recognition could show each person their own information. The device is built to work with Apple's new Siri AI. In short, it would work as both a speaker and a small screen for the home.
Also Read: Apple Restricts Full Disk Access for Apps, AI Tools on Mac
Apple may also release a new HomePod mini. The design is likely to stay close to the current one. The speaker would get a faster chip and support for the new Siri AI. New colors have also been reported.
The Apple TV 4K may get an update too. It could come with a faster processor. Apple may also change the hardware so the box can run Siri AI features.
If the report is right, Apple is pushing harder into smart-home devices. That would put it in closer competition with Amazon Echo and Google Nest. Still, nothing is official yet. The launch format, prices, and release dates are unknown. Apple will need to make an announcement before any of this is certain. Until then, these details remain reports and rumors, and readers should treat them with care.
