Apple’s rumoured smart home hub could arrive within a fortnight, offering HomePod and Apple TV a new sibling built around AI-driven features. According to a report in the Power On newsletter from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company plans to announce the AI-powered device on 13 October, with a design said to echo the friendly iMac G4, featuring a round base and a screen mounted on an articulating arm.
The hub is expected to centre on a 6-inch rounded-corner display paired with a FaceTime camera. The device will reportedly use voice and facial recognition to automatically identify different family members, presenting each person’s preferences, including their calendar, notes and apps. When another household member steps in, their information appears instead. A visitor mode will hide such personal details, and the answers it provides will be tailored to whoever is making the query.
Personalised Siri and Apple Intelligence
The new hub will feature advanced Siri capabilities, with responses likely surfacing as a fresh conversation in the Siri app introduced with iOS 27 and the other OS 27 updates across Apple’s products. This would allow users to continue a line of questioning on any other Apple device.
A wall-mounted version, consisting of just the screen component, is also reportedly set to be announced for those with limited countertop space. Both the standard and wall-mounted versions require a wall power source rather than batteries.
An Apple smart home display has been rumoured for years, including a model with a robotic arm capable of keeping the screen positioned towards a person as they move around it. The halting progress of Siri and Apple Intelligence delayed the rollout of the device. Apple Intelligence was also linked to a recent settlement worth around £185 million for those who purchased certain iPhone models.
HomePod mini and Apple TV upgrades
Alongside the new hub, the HomePod mini and the Apple TV set-top box are also set to receive upgrades. Both devices are expected to gain newer processors to handle Siri AI requests, while the compact speaker will reportedly arrive in more colours, including pink and green.
The name HomePad has circulated in rumours, though the report does not confirm an expected name for the device. Apple has long positioned the iPad in the kitchen, so the company faces the task of demonstrating why customers should buy a dedicated device rather than propping up an iPad mini in its place. The smart home hub is reportedly scheduled for announcement on 13 October 2026.
