Barely a month after announcing the iPhone 18 Pro and the foldable iPhone Duo, Apple is ready for another product launch. The company just announced another event, which appears focused on the new smart home devices we’ve been hearing about for years.
Apple announced a “Welcome home” event next week
Apple’s next product launch event comes with the tagline “Welcome home,” and it’s scheduled for Tuesday, October 13 at 9AM ET. While the company hasn’t revealed anything specific about the products we’re about to see, it’s pretty clear we’re getting the smart home device lineup we’ve been hearing rumors about for probably years.
The event invite has a an embroidered version of the old-school rainbow Apple logo. The company says this is an “Apple Experience,” which will take place in Tribeca, New York.
What new Apple smart home device you want the most?
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What will Apple announce at its October 13 “Welcome home” event?
The new smart home hub from Apple could look something like this. | Image by MacRumors
There are three products that are very likely to be among the highlights next week, regardless of whether Apple does a keynote or just launches a press release. Probably the most exciting one will be the rumored smart home hub, which is expected to be an all-new device mixing an iPad with a HomePod.
The so-called HomePad is expected to sport a 6-inch display and a design reminiscent of the classic iMac G4 design. The device is also expected to be able to control other smart home products and to allow FaceTime calls, setting up calendar events, and other features powered by Siri AI. Despite the square display, voice is expected to be the main mode of interaction with it.
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Rumor has it that there will be a new HomePod mini with an N1 networking chip, updated WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities, a faster S-series chipset with Siri AI support, and new colors. The Apple TV 4K is also expected to get a refresh with an A19 or A19 Pro processor, N1 chip, and a RAM upgrade for Siri AI support. There could also be an upgraded Siri Remote.
Users on Reddit are generally excited about the updates, even though many appear to be quite worried about the prices of the new products. Surprisingly, some users would also like to get their hands on an Apple logo-shaped rainbow rug.
After the Apple Cloth, why not an Apple Rug? | Image by Reddit (screenshot
Could Apple launch a new iPad and MacBook at this event?
Rumor has it that Apple is about to launch a new iPad mini with an OLED display, which could also be part of the “Welcome home” event. The new tablet is expected to get a new chipset, better water resistance, and the most significant display upgrade for the iPad mini. However, it’s still unclear if the new tablet will drop alongside the new home products.
Even less likely is for Apple to launch any of the Macs it’s rumored to have in store for the coming months. Those include the very long-rumored MacBook Ultra with OLED touch displays and a new thinner design, as well as an upgrade to the base 14-inch MacBook Pro and the iMac with M6 chips.
Earlier rumors suggested that Apple will have two premieres in October, with the October 13 event reserved for the smart home lineup and another event for the laptops. This second event is expected to take place in the final week of the month, right after the iPhone Duo finally launches on Friday, October 23.
Pricing is the big unknown
I’d be surprised if Apple matches the aggressive pricing of the Amazon Echo ecosystem with any of its new smart home devices. However, if the company somehow manages to come out with competitive pricing, I can see many people being interested in the HomePod mini and maybe even the rumored HomePad.
Ilia, a tech journalist at PhoneArena, has been covering the mobile industry since 2011, with experience at outlets like Forbes Bulgaria. Passionate about smartphones, tablets, and consumer tech, he blends deep industry knowledge with a personal fascination that began with his first Nokia and Sony Ericsson devices. Originally from Bulgaria and now based in Lima, Peru, Ilia balances his tech obsessions with walking his dog, training at the gym, and slowly mastering Spanish.
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