Apple is set to unveil a new smart home hub, updated Apple TV 4K, and LG-branded accessories at an October 13 event in New York, with the HomePad rumored to cost $350.
Apple’s upcoming “Welcome Home” event on October 13, 2026, in New York, is expected to center on its first dedicated smart display, the HomePad, alongside updates to the Apple TV 4K and partnerships with LG for smart home accessories. The event, teased by Greg Joswiak, aims to solidify Apple’s position in the connected home market, which it has long approached through HomeKit and incremental product updates.
Apple Introduces HomePad Smart Display with homeOS
The HomePad, a 6-inch square display with a speaker base, is the event’s star product. It will run a new “homeOS” system, supporting facial recognition, widget integration from iPhone apps, and Siri AI. Bloomberg reported the device will require an iPhone for setup and prioritize on-device processing with Apple’s Private Cloud Compute to protect user data. Pricing is rumored to be around $350, with pre-orders set for October 16 (MacRumors).
The event will be staged as an Apple Experience
for invited press in New York, starting at 9 a.m. The HomePad’s delayed full Siri conversational agent—pushed to late 2026 or early 2027—raises questions about its competitiveness (Forkast News). Apple’s focus on privacy contrasts with rivals like Meta, which gives away hardware, and Google, which charges $20 a month.
The HomePad’s design includes a 6-inch square display with a square aspect ratio, attached via a polished metal arm to a half-dome perforated base [Tom’s Guide]. It will run a new operating system, homeOS, combining elements of tvOS, iOS widgets, iPhone Standby mode, and Apple Watch faces and complications [Tom’s Guide]. The device will support facial recognition, widget integration from iPhone apps, and standby mode-inspired faces, ensuring it works easily with other Apple devices [Tom's Guide].
Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini 2: Hardware Upgrades
The Apple TV 4K (fourth generation) will feature an A19 chip, 12GB RAM, and Wi-Fi 7, according to BigGo Finance [BigGo Finance]. The HomePod Mini 2 will add Wi-Fi 7, a faster chip, and new color options, with leaked code suggesting support for multi-speaker home theater setups [36KR]. The Apple TV 4K’s internal upgrades include model clues MacRumors found from Apple’s code pointing to an A19 or A19 Pro chip, with RAM potentially increasing from 4GB to 8GB or 12GB [MacRumors].
The Apple TV 4K (fourth generation) will include personalized recommendations driven by Apple Intelligence, a redesigned Siri remote for easier use, customizable avatars, and immersive audio experiences for screen savers [Tom's Guide]. The device will support Apple’s ecosystem, including HomeKit, Matter, and Thread, ensuring compatibility with non-Apple systems [Tom’s Guide].
LG-Branded Smart Home Accessories
Apple’s partnership with LG will include a smart deadbolt, thermostat, video doorbell, and security cameras. These devices, branded by LG, will support Matter, Thread, and ultra-wideband protocols, ensuring compatibility with non-Apple ecosystems. The deadbolt features a swiveling keypad and emergency power port, while the thermostat includes adaptive temperature controls Geeky Gadgets.
The LG accessories consist of a smart deadbolt lock, a thermostat equipped with temperature and humidity sensors, a video doorbell, indoor and outdoor security cameras, and a floodlight camera [Tom’s Guide]. These devices will be fully compatible with Apple HomeKit and support Matter, Thread, and ultra-wideband technologies, ensuring they work across multiple ecosystems [BigGo Finance].
LG will manufacture the products and handle customer support, while Apple will assist in development [Tom’s Guide]. The partnership positions Apple and LG to compete directly with Amazon and Google in the smart home market [Tom’s Guide].
Apple Explores Security Partnership with ADT
Rumors suggest Apple is exploring a partnership with home security firm ADT, evidenced by job postings for Low Voltage Technician
positions. The collaboration could include professional installation services for the home hub or related accessories from LG, though no official confirmation exists [MacRumors].
Apple’s smart home strategy emphasizes how its products work together, but challenges remain. The HomePad’s $350 price tag and delayed Siri AI contrast with Meta’s free hardware and Google’s subscription model. Whether Apple can convince users to pay a premium for privacy and curation will define the event’s impact.
Apple is also rumored to be working on a privacy-focused home monitor, a hub with a screen mounted on a robotic arm, and a home security monitoring service [Tom’s Guide]. The company’s long-rumored ‘HomePad’ product is finally set to be unveiled next Tuesday at the ‘Welcome home’ event [Tom’s Guide].
The event will also feature a new Apple TV 4K and updated HomePod mini, with the HomePod mini 2 expected to include new color options and a faster chip [Tom’s Guide]. Apple’s approach to the smart home market emphasizes privacy-focused features and how its products work together [Tom's Guide].