Apple is preparing to hold its “Welcome Home” launch event on October 13th at 9AM ET in New York, where the company is anticipated to announce several smart home products and technologies.
The centerpiece of the event is expected to be a new smart home hub featuring a 6-inch square touchscreen that can be mounted on a wall or placed on a table. The device, which may be called HomeView, will reportedly use voice and facial recognition to identify users and surface relevant information such as contacts and calendar appointments. The hub is designed to serve as a central control point for Apple’s smart home ecosystem, replacing the company’s previous reliance on the Home app for managing connected devices.
The new hub will run a proprietary platform reportedly called homeOS, which is described as combining visual elements from iOS, tvOS, and watchOS. The operating system will focus on smart home management while also supporting standard Apple applications including Apple Music, Podcasts, News, Reminders, Notes, and Siri AI. The system will not include an App Store, distinguishing it from iPad-like experiences. HomeOS will enable functionality such as controlling thermostats and smart locks, as well as making FaceTime calls.
Alongside the new hub, Apple is preparing updates to existing smart home products. The HomePod Mini will receive its first refresh since its announcement six years prior, incorporating a new processor to support Siri AI and introducing new color options including green and pink. The Apple TV will also be updated with a new processor featuring Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 6.0 support, which will enable improved navigation speed and integrate a built-in microphone for voice control without requiring the remote or a paired HomePod.
Apple is also expected to showcase partner products during the event, including smart home devices from LG such as deadbolts and thermostats. These partner devices will reportedly feature proximity-based controls that display hints on iPhones and simplified pairing capabilities.
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