Apple has been frustrated for years by its failure to truly conquer the living room. The HomePod mini was released six years ago , the larger HomePod was a re-release of the 2018 model, and the Apple TV 4K remains unchanged since 2022. Add to that a string of rumors about a HomePod with a screen, popularly known as the HomePad. Well, it seems we're finally close to seeing all of this become a reality.
According to Mark Gurman's latest report, Apple plans to unveil three products simultaneously on Tuesday, October 13 : the new Apple TV 4K, the HomePod mini 2, and its first home entertainment device, the HomePad. All three are expected to launch at the same time and feature Siri AI as a key component . If the rumors are accurate and Gurman's prediction is correct, we're just a couple of weeks away from one of the most anticipated and, at the same time, one of the most mysterious product launches in recent memory.
What is the HomePad and what will its design be like?
The most innovative device in the lineup is the smart home hub with a display . It appears in the report under the codename J490. It will have a square screen of about six inches , with a FaceTime camera on the front and microphones and speakers integrated into the base. The design is reminiscent of the famous 2002 iMac G4: the screen sits on a round, semi-spherical base and is connected by a metal arm that allows it to be tilted forward or backward.
It will be offered in two versions: one for desktop use and one for wall mounting. The desktop version will have a gray aluminum finish and a USB-C port for power. It will not have a battery, volume buttons, or a power button. The wall-mounted version, codenamed J491, will have a thinner, square base below the screen, where the speakers and microphones will be located. It will also require a USB-C power connection.
As for its uses, the device will play an important role in the kitchen , where it can display videos and search for recipes using voice commands. It will also be used to regulate thermostats, operate locks, and control other connected devices, as well as make video calls, communicate between rooms, listen to music, or view photos stored in iCloud.
User recognition and personalization
The device will recognize who is speaking or approaching and will display personalized content and responses for each person. There will also be a guest mode that will hide personal information. Recognition can be done via voice or face. The facial recognition system will be less accurate than Face ID, and the iPhone can be used as an additional authentication method when needed.
The interface will blend elements from the Apple Watch, Apple TV, and iPad. Siri AI will maintain the dark visual style already seen on other devices, and there will be iPhone-style widgets. In addition to wallpapers, there will be the ability to rearrange apps and widgets by long-pressing them. The interface will be heavily focused on photos and clocks, similar to the iPhone's new Sleep mode. One of the clocks will have a design reminiscent of a lava lamp, with the hour displayed digitally and the minutes below. From the clock or photo screen, users will be able to swipe up to open the app launcher.
The device will include apps like Calendar, Messages, Photos, FaceTime, Notes, Reminders, Music, and Podcasts . The home screen will feature apps with a design similar to the Apple Watch, but when opened, they will display iPad-inspired interfaces with multiple panels. The Messages app, for example, will split the screen in two: tapping a conversation in the list will open its content in the adjacent panel.
Siri AI and the other releases: HomePod mini 2 and Apple TV 4K
Mark Gurman suggests that the three products are designed to showcase Siri AI , which would explain the delay, as all three were originally planned for release in 2024. Apple had planned to unveil them alongside the new Siri, but problems with the assistant forced them to postpone the devices as well.
The HomePod mini 2 will retain its spherical form factor, but will refresh its color range with shades like green and pink.
The Apple TV 4K will also be updated after not receiving any changes since 2022. It will incorporate Siri AI capabilities to integrate into the new connected home strategy.
What Apple is preparing for the future
The report also discusses what's next. The larger HomePod will be updated later , and Apple is still working on a privacy-focused security camera. The list is rounded out with a high-end version of the hub, featuring a nine-inch screen mounted on a robotic arm that rotates 360 degrees. That leaves a second wave of smart home products on the horizon, with no release dates yet.
What is confirmed is Tuesday, October 13th , and on that day there will be many things to watch: how Apple presents the new hub, what name it gives it, and what its price will be within a category of home products that has never really taken off. The company, now under the leadership of John Ternus , is trying to regain lost ground to Amazon and Google.
Apple plans to make a splash in the smart home market. On October 13th, it will unveil the HomePad , a device with a six-inch screen designed to become the home's central control hub. This will be accompanied by updates to the HomePod mini and the Apple TV 4K, all powered by Siri AI . The company, now under the leadership of John Ternus , is attempting to regain ground lost to Amazon and Google. It remains to be seen how this launch will be received in Spain and the rest of Europe . Price and availability will be key to determining whether Apple can finally take off in the home automation sector.