Apple’s smart home hub is expected to be announced at the Welcome home event on October 13. Apple has not confirmed a name, a price or a release date, so this guide separates what is confirmed from what has only been reported.
The name used in most reports is the HomePad. We will update this page with official details as soon as Apple shows the product, and the page address will stay the same.
Quick Summary of the Apple Smart Home Hub
- Apple’s Welcome home event is on October 13 at 9:00 a.m. ET in Tribeca, New York.
- The reported price is around $350, and Apple has not confirmed it.
- The device is a roughly square screen with a front camera and a new operating system built around Siri AI.
- Two versions are reported, one for countertops and one for walls.
- A release date has not been announced.
The Apple Smart Home Hub Is Expected to Be Announced on October 13
Apple’s invite carries the tagline “Welcome home,” and earlier reports pointed to October 13 for the smart home launch. Stores also received sealed boxes marked “Do Not Open Until October 8”, which are believed to hold new displays.
Earlier roadmaps pointed to spring 2025, then spring 2026, then September for the hub. Reports say the product was held back until Siri AI was ready, and Apple has not said when the hub goes on sale.
For US readers, the event starts at 9:00 a.m. Eastern, which is 8:00 a.m. Central, 7:00 a.m. Mountain and 6:00 a.m. Pacific.
The Reported Price Is Around $350, but Apple Has Not Confirmed It
Earlier roadmap reports pointed to a price of around $350. That number comes from reporting and not from Apple, and it could change before the event.
The hub would sit well above the $129 HomePod mini. Apple has not said whether the price includes both the countertop and wall-mounted versions.
The Design Is a Small Square Screen With a Front Camera
Reports describe a roughly square display that is smaller than an Amazon Echo Show. A front camera is expected to recognize who is looking at the screen, so the display can show personal information to the right person.
Two versions have been reported, one that sits on a counter and one that mounts on a wall. Apple’s code also contains four colors for the device, based on earlier findings.
The Software Is Built Around Siri AI and Apple Watch Style Faces
The hub reportedly runs a new operating system that borrows from iOS, tvOS and watchOS. Apple is not expected to offer an App Store at launch, and trademark filings for homeOS suggest the software may have its own name.
Apple’s code points to a Face Gallery with Apple Watch style faces. Sensitive information is reportedly shown only when an iPhone is nearby, and a Photo Face that pulls from iCloud Photos matches the StandBy look on the iPhone Duo.
Siri AI is the main feature of the hub, and it arrived with iOS 27 in September. Reports say the hub is the first device built around it for the home.
What We Know and What Is Still Unconfirmed
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Announcement date | October 13, confirmed by Apple |
| Name | HomePad is a reported name, not confirmed |
| Price | Around $350, reported |
| Release date | Unconfirmed |
| Screen size | Unconfirmed, reported as smaller than an Echo Show |
| Chip | Unconfirmed |
| Software | New system built around Siri AI, reported |
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Apple smart home hub be announced? Apple’s Welcome home event is on October 13 at 9:00 a.m. ET.
How much will it cost? Reports point to around $350, and Apple has not confirmed a price.
Is the name HomePad official? No. It is the name used in reports, and Apple may choose something else.
Will there also be a new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini? A new Apple TV 4K and a HomePod mini 2 are both expected alongside it.
Is a new full-size HomePod coming? Not on October 13, since that model is reportedly coming later.
Should You Wait for the Apple Smart Home Hub?
If you want a Siri AI display for your home, waiting a few days for the event is easy. You will get a confirmed price, a release date and real details instead of reports.
If you already use HomePod minis and an Apple TV 4K, there is no rush to buy anything else first. Reviews will tell you whether Siri AI works well in a busy kitchen.
