Apple is reportedly preparing to expand its smart-home lineup with three new products on October 13th, including its long-rumoured HomePod with a screen. According to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, the new products will also include an updated HomePod mini and a new Apple TV 4K. All three are expected to support Apple’s revamped Siri AI, making the launch an early test of how the company plans to bring its AI capabilities into the home.
Apple HomePod with screen: what to expect
The smart-home hub, reportedly codenamed J490, is expected to feature a roughly 6-inch square display that can sit on a countertop or be mounted on a wall. The tabletop version will have a round metal base housing its speakers and microphones, with an adjustable arm that lets users tilt the screen. The wall-mounted version will have a slimmer base.
The device will need to remain connected to power through USB-C, as it reportedly lacks a battery. It’s expected to feature a single front-facing camera for FaceTime calls, with no rear camera, and will initially be available in a grey aluminium finish.
Its interface will combine elements of the iPad, Apple Watch and Apple TV, with widgets, app icons and two-panel layouts for apps such as Messages. Users will be able to control connected devices, make video calls, play music, view photo slideshows and use intercom-style communication.
Personalisation will be a key feature. The hub is expected to recognise household members through their voices or facial recognition and display their messages, contacts, calendar appointments and other information. A guest mode will hide personal details from visitors.
The device will also support the new Siri AI, which Apple is developing to make voice interactions and smart-home controls more capable. This could help it compete with Amazon’s Echo Show displays and Google’s Home devices, although its appeal will partly depend on how well it works with products outside Apple’s ecosystem.
HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K upgrades
Apple is also reportedly preparing the first HomePod mini refresh since 2020 and its first new Apple TV 4K since 2022. Both devices are expected to retain their existing designs while receiving faster processors to support Siri’s newer AI capabilities. The updated HomePod mini could also arrive in new colours, including green and pink. The three products would give Apple a broader range of entry points into its smart-home ecosystem, from a compact speaker to a television streaming box and a display-based hub.
Apple has long offered connected-home features through HomeKit, HomePod and Apple TV, but it has struggled to match the reach of Amazon and Google in this category. A dedicated display could bring device controls, personal information and communications together in one place, particularly in shared spaces such as kitchens. For existing HomePod mini and Apple TV owners, the main reason to consider upgrading will be the new Siri experience and whether it adds useful capabilities to everyday routines. Buyers considering a smart display should also weigh compatibility with their existing devices, voice recognition and privacy features before choosing between Apple, Amazon and Google.
Apple hasn’t officially confirmed the October 13th launch or the product details. The company also declined to comment on the reported plans.
