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Apple plans smart home push with new hub, updated HomePod mini and Apple TV
Oct 01, 2026
📍 Phliadelphia,PA, USA
### Apple Reportedly Prepares New Smart Home Hub, HomePod Mini and Apple TV
Apple is preparing a broader push into the smart home market with a new home hub, an updated HomePod mini and a refreshed Apple TV, according to Bloomberg.
The company is reportedly planning to unveil the new products on October 13, marking one of its most significant efforts yet to expand its connected-home ecosystem and compete more directly with established platforms from Amazon and Google.
At the center of the reported strategy is a new smart home hub internally known by the codename J490. Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the plans, reported that the device could feature a roughly 6-inch square display designed to sit on a countertop or be mounted on a wall.
The hub is expected to function as a central control point for connected devices throughout the home. It could also use artificial intelligence to recognize different household members and provide personalized content and responses based on individual users.
Apple is reportedly placing its upgraded Siri technology at the heart of the new smart-home experience. The company has been working to expand Siri's AI capabilities, with the new hardware expected to provide a platform for those features.
The reported smart home hub would allow users to interact with connected devices, access information and control aspects of their homes through a centralized interface.
Apple is also expected to update its HomePod mini, marking the first major refresh of the compact smart speaker since it was introduced in 2020.
The updated HomePod mini is expected to retain a design similar to the existing model while receiving upgraded internal components and a faster processor to support Apple's newer Siri capabilities.
The company is reportedly preparing a refreshed Apple TV as well. The new set-top box would be Apple's first significant Apple TV hardware update since 2022 and is expected to maintain the overall design of the current product.
Faster processors across the updated devices could help Apple deliver more advanced AI-powered features while maintaining integration with its existing ecosystem of products and services.
The company's renewed focus on the smart home comes as technology companies increasingly incorporate AI into connected-home products, including voice assistants, security systems, cameras and household appliances.
Apple has already introduced AI-related capabilities to HomeKit Secure Video, including automatically generated descriptions of activity detected by compatible security cameras.
The planned expansion would build on Apple's existing Home app, HomeKit-compatible accessories, Apple TV and HomePod products rather than creating an entirely separate smart-home platform.
Apple's approach could also give users a more centralized way to interact with devices across different parts of the home, while leveraging the company's existing hardware and software ecosystem.
The reported move comes as Amazon and Google continue to operate established smart-home ecosystems built around their own voice assistants, displays and connected devices.
However, Apple has not publicly confirmed the reported October 13 launch event or the details of the products. The company also did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
If the reported plans move forward, the new hardware could represent a significant expansion of Apple's presence in the smart-home market and provide a dedicated platform for its evolving AI and Siri strategy.
The move would also give Apple an opportunity to connect its growing AI capabilities with a broader range of everyday household tasks, potentially making the home another major area of competition among technology companies.
Apple is preparing a broader push into the smart home market with a new home hub, an updated HomePod mini and a refreshed Apple TV, according to Bloomberg.
The company is reportedly planning to unveil the new products on October 13, marking one of its most significant efforts yet to expand its connected-home ecosystem and compete more directly with established platforms from Amazon and Google.
At the center of the reported strategy is a new smart home hub internally known by the codename J490. Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the plans, reported that the device could feature a roughly 6-inch square display designed to sit on a countertop or be mounted on a wall.
The hub is expected to function as a central control point for connected devices throughout the home. It could also use artificial intelligence to recognize different household members and provide personalized content and responses based on individual users.
Apple is reportedly placing its upgraded Siri technology at the heart of the new smart-home experience. The company has been working to expand Siri's AI capabilities, with the new hardware expected to provide a platform for those features.
The reported smart home hub would allow users to interact with connected devices, access information and control aspects of their homes through a centralized interface.
Apple is also expected to update its HomePod mini, marking the first major refresh of the compact smart speaker since it was introduced in 2020.
The updated HomePod mini is expected to retain a design similar to the existing model while receiving upgraded internal components and a faster processor to support Apple's newer Siri capabilities.
The company is reportedly preparing a refreshed Apple TV as well. The new set-top box would be Apple's first significant Apple TV hardware update since 2022 and is expected to maintain the overall design of the current product.
Faster processors across the updated devices could help Apple deliver more advanced AI-powered features while maintaining integration with its existing ecosystem of products and services.
The company's renewed focus on the smart home comes as technology companies increasingly incorporate AI into connected-home products, including voice assistants, security systems, cameras and household appliances.
Apple has already introduced AI-related capabilities to HomeKit Secure Video, including automatically generated descriptions of activity detected by compatible security cameras.
The planned expansion would build on Apple's existing Home app, HomeKit-compatible accessories, Apple TV and HomePod products rather than creating an entirely separate smart-home platform.
Apple's approach could also give users a more centralized way to interact with devices across different parts of the home, while leveraging the company's existing hardware and software ecosystem.
The reported move comes as Amazon and Google continue to operate established smart-home ecosystems built around their own voice assistants, displays and connected devices.
However, Apple has not publicly confirmed the reported October 13 launch event or the details of the products. The company also did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
If the reported plans move forward, the new hardware could represent a significant expansion of Apple's presence in the smart-home market and provide a dedicated platform for its evolving AI and Siri strategy.
The move would also give Apple an opportunity to connect its growing AI capabilities with a broader range of everyday household tasks, potentially making the home another major area of competition among technology companies.
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