Apple is all set to host its Welcome Home event on Tuesday, October 13, where it is expected to unveil its new generation of smart home lineup. One of the most anticipated launches is its long-rumoured smart home display, reportedly called HomeView. The device is likely to headline Apple’s renewed push into smart home products, alongside an updated Apple TV and a new HomePod mini.
According to industry reporting, the HomeView could ship around mid-November, while the updated Apple TV and HomePod mini are expected to reach stores earlier, on October 30. The event is scheduled to begin at 9am ET, or 6:30pm IST, and will include an online video presentation as well as an in-person media event in New York. Apple has not confirmed the products or their pricing and availability in India.
Regarding what to expect from the hardware, the HomeView will reportedly run on an A18 chip and serve as a Siri-powered control centre for homes built around Apple devices. The display is designed to show information at a glance and let users interact mainly through voice commands, with touch controls available when needed. It is also expected to support a limited selection of Apple apps, without a dedicated App Store for downloading additional software.
The device is reportedly being developed in two versions. The countertop model is said to feature a metal speaker base and come in space grey, silver, starlight and pink. The wall-mounted version could have a flat, square base beneath the display, with space grey and silver as its colour options. Reports also indicate that the HomeView could offer better sound quality than the upcoming HomePod mini.
Along with the HomeView, Apple is also expected to refresh the HomePod mini with an S10 chip and introduce new colour options, including pink, white, green, blue and midnight. The next Apple TV, meanwhile, is tipped to get an A19 chip. Apple has reportedly tested built-in microphones that could let users speak to Siri without picking up the remote or using a HomePod, although it remains unclear whether this feature will make it to the final product. The company has also tested a Siri Remote with a built-in speaker to make it easier to locate when misplaced.
Beyond its own devices, Apple is reportedly working with LG Electronics on a wider range of smart home accessories, collectively called the Apple Home Collection. These could include a smart doorbell, deadbolt lock, thermostat, temperature sensors, indoor and outdoor security cameras, and a floodlight camera. LG is expected to manufacture and support these products, while Schneider Electric is reportedly working with Apple on energy products for Europe.
Reportedly, the LG-made devices are not expected to arrive before later this year at the earliest. For now, the HomeView display, Apple TV and HomePod mini are expected to lead Apple’s next smart home push, with launches spread across October and November.