Apple is reportedly getting ready to launch three home devices on Tuesday, October 13, 2026: an all-new smart home hub with a screen, the first new HomePod mini since 2020, and a refreshed Apple TV 4K. The report comes from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple itself has not announced an event, sent invites, or said a word about any of these products.
So treat everything below as a well-sourced rumor until Apple makes it official. We have split what is reported from what is confirmed so you can tell the two apart.
- Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports Apple will launch a smart home hub, a new HomePod mini and an updated Apple TV 4K on October 13, 2026.
- The hub reportedly has a roughly 6-inch square screen on a base, in countertop and wall-mount versions, with a FaceTime camera.
- The HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K reportedly keep their current designs but get faster chips and Siri AI.
- Apple has not announced an event. Whether it will be a keynote video or just press releases is unknown.
- Current US prices: HomePod mini $129, Apple TV 4K from $199.
What Bloomberg Reported
Gurman first reported the October 13 date on September 30, 2026, saying Apple plans to make its long-delayed push into the smart home market that day. In his Power On newsletter on October 4, he went further and said Apple is planning to hold an event on October 13 to unveil the hub, the new HomePod mini and an updated Apple TV, with Siri AI at the core of all three.
What that event looks like is still an open question. MacRumors noted that the original report did not say whether Apple will stream a full presentation or announce the products through press releases and short videos. Either is possible.
The Smart Home Hub
This is the new product category, and the one most people will be watching. Based on Bloomberg's reporting (code name J490), the hub is expected to have:
- A roughly 6-inch square display. Some reports put it at 6 to 7 inches.
- An iMac G4-style design. The screen sits on an arm above a round speaker base, so you can tilt it.
- Two versions. A countertop model with the speaker base, and a wall-mount model with a thinner base under the screen.
- A front-facing FaceTime camera, plus microphones and speakers.
- Smart home control for HomeKit accessories, along with music, photos, widgets and personal info.
- Per-person screens. It reportedly recognizes who is speaking or walking up and shows that person's calendar, messages and apps.
Gurman also reported on October 6 that Apple's wider smart home push includes a doorbell, a lock and a thermostat codeveloped with LG Electronics, designed to work with the hub. There is no word on when those arrive, so do not expect them on October 13.
If you already run a smart home on another platform, our look at how Google Home now lets AI agents control your devices shows where the competition is heading.
The New HomePod mini
The original HomePod mini launched in 2020. Apple has added colors since then, but the hardware inside has not changed. The new model reportedly keeps the same round design and gets:
- A faster chip, needed to run Siri AI
- New colors, including pink and green
The current HomePod mini sells for $129 in the US on Apple's store.
The Updated Apple TV 4K
The current Apple TV 4K arrived in 2022. The refresh reportedly keeps the same box design and adds:
- A faster chip with Apple Intelligence and Siri AI support
- More memory
- Apple's N1 wireless networking chip, per MacRumors
The current Apple TV 4K costs $199 for the 64GB Wi-Fi model and $249 for the 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet model in the US. If you have one already, our Apple TV tips will help you get more out of it while you wait.
Reported vs Confirmed
| Detail | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Launch on October 13, 2026 | Reported | Bloomberg |
| An Apple event that day | Reported | Bloomberg (Power On, October 4) |
| Event format (keynote, video or press release) | Unknown | Not reported |
| Smart home hub with about a 6-inch square screen | Reported | Bloomberg |
| Countertop and wall-mount hub versions | Reported | Bloomberg |
| FaceTime camera and HomeKit control on the hub | Reported | Bloomberg |
| HomePod mini with faster chip, pink and green | Reported | Bloomberg |
| Apple TV 4K with faster chip, more memory, Siri AI | Reported | Bloomberg |
| Prices of the new devices | Unknown | Not reported |
| Countries and release dates | Unknown | Not reported |
| HomePod mini $129, Apple TV 4K from $199 (current models, US) | Confirmed | Apple |
Nothing in the top part of this table is confirmed by Apple yet. We will update this post when Apple announces the products.
Will It Launch Outside the US?
Apple has not said which countries will get the new devices or when. The hub also leans on Siri AI, and Apple has not detailed which languages and countries those features will support at launch. Check Apple's store in your country on launch day rather than assuming a date.
A Second Wave of Macs in October?
The home devices may not be the only October launch. In August, Gurman reported that a base 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M6 chip and an updated 24-inch iMac are likely to arrive in October. Higher-end MacBook Pro models with OLED touchscreens could follow between the end of 2026 and early 2027.
There is no confirmed date for any of these Macs, and some coverage suggests they could slip into November. Apple has not commented. If you are on an older Mac and holding out, our hidden Mac features guide is worth a look in the meantime.
FAQs
Is the Apple October 13 event confirmed?
What is Apple expected to launch on October 13?
Will there be a live Apple keynote?
How much will the Apple smart home hub cost?
Is it worth buying a HomePod mini or Apple TV 4K right now?
Sumit
ContributorHi, I'm Sumit, Being an introvert I have always been obsessed with technology-computers and reading dozens of posts to learn, find answers out of my curiosity. I love to write as I explore more.
