Apple to launch HomePad smart home hub on October 13

Apple plans to introduce its long-awaited HomePad smart home hub on October 13, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The device will launch alongside a new HomePod mini and an upgraded Apple TV, all three showcasing Siri AI, Apple's overhauled AI-powered assistant. The HomePad represents Apple's entry into a new product category.9to5mac.com+1

The October 13 launch marks a significant expansion for Apple under new Chief Executive Officer John Ternus. All three products were originally planned to launch in 2024, but the delay is attributed to the need to showcase Siri AI. The HomePad will be the centerpiece of the announcement, with the HomePod mini and Apple TV updated to support the new assistant.macrumors.com

What the October 13 launch includes

The HomePad features a square 6-inch display about as thick as an iPhone, with a quarter-inch black bezel reminiscent of older iPads. The screen sits above a round metal base housing speakers and microphones, connected by a polished metal arm that allows users to tilt the display forward or backward. The design echoes the iMac G4 from 2002.

Apple will sell two versions of the HomePad: a countertop model codenamed J490 and a wall-mounted version codenamed J491. The wall-mounted version has a thin, square base beneath the display that houses speakers and microphones, sitting flat against the wall. Both versions must remain connected to power through a USB-C cable, as the device lacks a battery.

The HomePad has no volume or power buttons and comes in Apple's standard gray aluminum finish. A single FaceTime camera sits on the front, and the base has a rubberized bottom to keep it stable on a table. In dark rooms, a Mac-style Edge Light feature illuminates the area around the screen to help the camera recognize the user.macrumors.com

Design and hardware details

The device is designed to control smart home devices, make video calls, send intercom-style messages, play audio, and display photo slideshows. It can also serve as a kitchen information hub, letting users watch videos and look up recipes with voice commands. Apple envisions customers placing several devices throughout their homes for whole-house coverage.

The HomePad identifies users by voice or facial recognition, though the facial recognition system is said to be less reliable than Face ID. Users can enable a secondary authentication method via an iPhone, which also serves as a fallback when the hub cannot identify a user correctly. The interface changes automatically based on who is using the device, with a visitor mode that hides personal information.

The new operating system blends interface elements of the Apple Watch, Apple TV, and iPad. The Home Screen uses Apple Watch-style app icons that open into iPad-style interfaces with multiple panels; for example, Messages has a two-panel layout like on the iPad. Siri AI retains the same dark visual style used on other Apple devices.

Siri AI and delayed launch

The new HomePod mini and Apple TV will retain their existing designs but feature faster chips to support Siri AI. The HomePod mini will also be available in new color options, including pink and green. Apple plans to update the larger HomePod at a later date, separate from this October 13 announcement.

Beyond the October 13 products, Apple is developing a privacy-focused home security camera and sensor that can detect which room a person is in without recording video. The company also continues to work on a higher-end version of the smart home hub, featuring a 9-inch display mounted on a robotic arm that can swivel 360 degrees.

A previous Bloomberg report had indicated only that the HomePad was expected to launch as soon as October; the latest report specifies October 13. Daring Fireball separately suggested that iPhone review models would be handed to tech writers on October 13 or 14, and that an in-person event for the new products could be combined with those handoffs.