Apple is set to show off new smart home devices at an October 13 event
Apple is holding its second autumn event on 13 October at 9AM ET in Tribeca, New York, with the tagline "Welcome home" signalling a focus on smart home products. The company is expected to unveil its long-awaited HomePad smart display, along with refreshed versions of the Apple TV and HomePod mini, marking a significant moment for Apple's ambitions in the smart home market dominated by Amazon and Google.
The HomePad will feature a seven-inch display running homeOS with face and voice recognition to personalise content for different users, and will support FaceTime calls, streaming, smart home control and Siri AI. Apple delayed the device until Siri AI was ready for integration. The Apple TV and HomePod mini updates are expected to gain spec upgrades and potentially a small watch-style display.
- Apple unveils HomePad smart display with seven-inch screen and Siri AI support.
- Event in New York on 13 October includes refreshed Apple TV and HomePod mini.
- HomePad delayed for years while Apple developed Siri AI integration.
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Smart home devices connect household technology, such as lights, speakers and televisions, so people can control them by voice, phone or a central screen. Apple’s HomeKit system lets compatible devices work together, while Amazon and Google offer competing systems.
Apple already sells the Apple TV streaming box and HomePod speakers, which can also control compatible home devices through Siri. A smart display would add a screen for tasks such as video calls and viewing controls, bringing several functions into one device.
The market matters to Apple because it could extend the company’s services and products into more parts of people’s homes. How well its devices work with other brands and respond to different household members may affect how useful they are to customers.