Apple will use the month of October to shake up its smart home lineup with some upgraded devices and at least one major new product, based on reliable sources and reports.
According to Bloomberg, Apple will unveil an updated HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K. Apart from some new color options for the mini (including pink and green) and an updated Siri Remote for the set-top box, the two devices will look largely the same as the current models, with the main changes happening inside.
The HomePod mini will feature a newer chip, improved sound quality, Apple's N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, and it will support Siri AI, Apple's reimagined voice assistant for the generative AI era.
The Apple TV 4K will also get a new chip (likely to be the A19 or A19 Pro), along with increased memory (12GB of RAM, up from 8GB) for Apple Intelligence and Siri AI support, and an Apple-designed N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support.
The brand-new product is expected to be Apple's long-awaited smart home hub device. It is said to feature a square 6-inch display, with versions that can be placed on a countertop or mounted on a wall. Users will be able to control smart home devices, make video calls and intercom-style messages, play audio, and view slideshows of photos.
Apple will also pitch it as an information hub for the kitchen, with the ability to watch videos and look up recipes with voice commands.
Expect it to feature Siri AI, an A18 chip or newer for Apple Intelligence, a FaceTime camera on the front, and microphones and speakers in its connected base. It could also come in multiple colors. You can read our full report in another article.
Apple plans to introduce the new smart home products on Tuesday, October 13, according to Bloomberg.
