Apple is preparing to expand its smart home lineup with its October 13, 2026, ‘Welcome home’ event in New York. The company is expected to introduce a new smart home hub with a touchscreen, an updated Apple TV 4K and the HomePod mini 2. All three products could bring improved Siri AI features and faster processors. Reports also point to new smart home accessories developed with LG. The event begins at 9 AM Eastern Time, or 6:30 PM IST, while official prices and India availability remain unknown.
Apple October 13 Event: Expected Products, Price And India Availability
Apple has confirmed the October 13 event, but it has not officially announced the products expected to arrive. According to reports, the launch will focus on three devices designed to bring Apple's services and smart home controls closer together.
- Smart home hub: The rumoured HomePad could feature a square touchscreen and a built-in speaker base. Its reported US price is around $350, but the final name and price are not confirmed.
- Apple TV 4K: The next model is expected to get a faster processor and improved support for Siri AI.
- HomePod mini 2: The compact smart speaker could receive a chip upgrade, improved connectivity and new colour options.
Apple hasn't announced prices for any of the products being launched in India. The current HomePod mini is priced at ₹15,900 on the Apple India website; however, this is the price of the current product and not the second generation model. Prices of the new Apple TV 4K and smart home hub will be determined once Apple announces the features officially. There is no date available for the launch in India.
Apple Smart Home Hub: Expected Display And Features
The rumoured smart home hub could be the main attraction of the event. Reports suggest that it will feature a roughly 6-inch square display and come in two versions: one for wall mounting and another with a tabletop speaker base.
Expected features include:
- Smart home controls: Users would be able to operate any supported gadgets such as lights and locks from one device.
- Siri AI: It is projected that the hub would enable using more complex voice commands and provide custom answers.
- FaceTime and media: Features of the display would allow making video calls, viewing pictures, and checking the news and weather.
- Personalised interface: The device would be equipped with a camera and sensors that would let define the people at home and display appropriate info.
The invention is expected to have made using Apple’s smart home easier since the user would not have to take the phone each time. At the same time, it is still necessary to get final information about the performance of the display, features of the camera and software.
New Apple TV 4K And HomePod mini 2: Expected Upgrades
Apple is also expected to refresh its streaming device and compact smart speaker. The current Apple TV 4K dates back to 2022, while the original HomePod mini arrived in 2020.
The new Apple TV 4K could feature an A19-series processor, Apple's N1 networking chip and an updated Siri Remote. These upgrades may improve navigation, connectivity and support for newer AI features. The device is expected to retain a design similar to the existing model.
The HomePod mini 2 could also receive a newer processor and Apple's N1 chip, with Wi-Fi 7 support among the reported possibilities. New colours, including pink and green, have been mentioned in leaks. The familiar compact design is expected to remain.
Neither product's final specifications, Indian prices nor retail availability have been confirmed.
Apple And LG Smart Home Devices: What Else To Expect
- Apple may not stop at its own devices in a quest for a smart home. New reports indicate that LG has created a series of products for Apple’s smart home ecosystem.
- The products could include a smart lock, a thermostat, and a temperature tracker. The smart lock may have keypad mode of entry and remote access features, and the thermostat may be able to set temperature on other devices as well. The temperature tracker, on the other hand, may monitor temperature and humidity of different rooms.
- In India, availability, installation, and compatibility with existing smart home products will be vital. Apple is yet to announce the release date of its products.
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FAQs
When is Apple's October 13 event and how can I watch it?
Apple’s event is scheduled for October 13, 2026, at 9 AM ET (6:30 PM IST), but a public livestream has not been confirmed.
What exactly is an Apple Smart Home Hub and how would it differ from HomePod?
The rumoured hub could feature a touchscreen for smart home controls, video calls and personalised information, while HomePod mini focuses mainly on audio and voice control.
Will the new Apple TV 4K support 120Hz refresh rates or Wi-Fi 6E?
Apple has not confirmed either feature; reports suggest a faster processor and a possible N1 networking chip, but display and Wi-Fi specifications remain unverified.
