Apple's Oct. 13 launch: home hub, refreshed HomePod, Apple TV 4K

MacRumors reports that Apple marketing chief Greg Joswiak announced a product launch set for Tuesday, October 13. Select press have been invited to New York for hands-on time. A video shared by Joswiak suggests the event will focus on home-related products. Three devices are expected, including one all-new product.

Home hub

Apple's rumored home hub is finally arriving. According to MacRumors, the device has been waiting for Siri AI, which is now ready. The hub has a 6-inch display and comes in two versions: one for wall mounting and one with a half-dome speaker base. Siri AI is central, and the hub will run a version of tvOS, possibly called homeOS, with familiar Apple apps and widgets. It acts as a central home device, showing personalized info like calendar events and controlling smart home gear. When idle, it shows the time. Users can customize widgets and apps. A camera enables video calls and recipe videos in the kitchen. Presence sensors and the camera use facial recognition to detect which family member is nearby and show a custom interface.

Pricing starts around $350. Apple envisions multiple hubs per home.

HomePod mini refresh

MacRumors says the HomePod mini is getting new color options, a faster processor, and an N1 networking chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. It will also add new Siri AI features.

Apple TV 4K upgrade

The Apple TV 4K gets an upgraded chip and more RAM. It may have an A19 or A19 Pro processor and 8GB or 12GB of RAM. It also gets the N1 chip for the latest wireless standards and, like the other devices, a full Siri AI experience.

Coming next

Apple will hold another launch on October 27 for new Macs and an OLED iPad mini, MacRumors adds.

All of Apple's announcements on the 13th are expected to emphasize Siri AI across the new hardware. The home hub's success likely hinges on that AI, which has delayed the product before. Potential buyers may want to see independent reviews before committing $350 to a device that anchors the smart home.

• Apple
• Apple TV 4K
• Greg Joswiak
• Home Hub
• HomePod mini
• smart home