Apple is reportedly preparing to unveil a new smart home hub on Tuesday, October 13, as part of its “Welcome home” product launch. The company is expected to reveal the device through a press release on Apple Newsroom at around 9 a.m. Eastern Time, when a private Apple event in New York is scheduled to begin.

Invited reporters and content creators are expected to get hands-on time with the product at that event. Apple has not publicly confirmed the hub’s design, specifications, name, or launch timing, so the details currently remain unconfirmed.

What Apple’s home hub could do

The device is reportedly intended to serve as a central control point for Apple’s smart home ecosystem. It could manage compatible accessories through the Apple Home app while also supporting home security monitoring, digital photo displays, calendar appointments, music playback, and FaceTime calls.

The interface is said to adjust based on the user’s distance from the screen. Elements could become larger as someone approaches the hub and shrink when they move away, potentially making it easier to use from different positions in a room.

Multi-user support is also reportedly planned, which would allow the device to serve families rather than being tied to a single person’s account or preferences. Suggested locations include kitchens, bedrooms, and living rooms.

Reported display, software, and Siri features

Rumors point to a square display measuring about 6 inches. The hub could use an A18 chip or a newer processor to support Apple Intelligence features, with an updated Siri experience expected to be a central part of the product.

Apple may introduce a new operating system for the device, potentially called homeOS. Reported software features include clock faces, widgets, and support for apps such as Calendar, Camera, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, Apple News, Reminders, and Notes.

The platform could also include a new Siri app with conversation history, although Apple’s final software name and feature set are not yet known.

Tabletop and wall-mounted versions reportedly planned

The rumored product lineup may include a tabletop model with an integrated speaker base and a separate wall-mounted version. That approach would give Apple a way to position the hub as both a smart display and a more permanent home control panel.

The device has often been informally called “HomePad” because it is expected to combine elements of the HomePod and iPad. Apple could instead use a name connected to Apple Home or possibly “HomeView,” a name that has appeared in trademark-related speculation. The October 13 event should clarify Apple’s branding and the product’s actual design.