Apple sets 'Welcome home' launch for October 13 in New York; home devices expected
In short
Apple announced on October 8 that it will introduce new products on October 13 under the tagline "Welcome home," with press invited to an "Apple Experience" in Tribeca, New York, at 9:00 a.m. ET. Tech outlets expect a new smart home hub with a display, an updated HomePod mini and a new Apple TV; Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said all three come with Siri AI. Whether Apple will stream a full keynote video has not been said.
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Apple announced on October 8 that it will introduce new products on October 13 under the tagline "Welcome home." Greg Joswiak, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, shared a teaser video with the date; CNET described it as a time-lapse of needlepointing Apple's logo with the date on it. Invitations went to press for an "Apple Experience" in Tribeca, New York, at 9:00 a.m. ET, 9to5Mac and Engadget reported. Engadget quoted the invite: "We look forward to welcoming you to an Apple Experience." [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
Outlets expect the launch to focus on smart home products: a smart home hub with a display, an updated HomePod mini and a new Apple TV. MacRumors reported that Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on his Power On podcast that Apple plans an "online home event" to introduce an all-new smart home hub, a new HomePod mini and a new Apple TV 4K, all with Siri AI. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
Reports on the hub differ in detail. MacRumors said it is rumored to have a 6-inch square display, come in a wall-mounted version and a version with a half-dome speaker base similar in design to the iMac G4, use a camera and presence sensor to recognise who is in the room, and could be priced around $350. Engadget said the device is expected to be called HomePad and is said to have a seven-inch display and an operating system dubbed homeOS. CNET also cited rumors of an iMac G4-like design. [ 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
The Verge reported that Apple is teaming up with LG on a video doorbell, thermostat and indoor camera to launch at the event, and 9to5Mac said leaked LG home accessories reportedly co-developed with Apple are likely to be unveiled. CNET said the HomePod mini and Apple TV may get new hardware for AI and more speaker colors, including pink and green, while Engadget said macOS beta code suggests the speaker may gain a display. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
The format is not settled. MacRumors said it will not be a traditional Apple event and that those not invited will likely see the devices through press releases on launch day; 9to5Mac said Apple has not said whether there will be a keynote video. [ 1 , 2 , 7 , 10 ]
The Verge reported that Apple wanted to launch the hub in 2025 but delays to the AI-powered Siri pushed it back, and that Siri AI launched last month with a beta tag. Engadget called this Apple's second event of the fall. MacRumors listed the iPhone Duo launch on October 23 and said Apple reportedly plans more products on October 27. [ 4 , 5 , 13 ]
Why it matters
The Verge said the launch appears to mark the start of Apple's next big push for the smart home, after the hub was reportedly held back until the AI-powered Siri was ready. The event falls in a busy month for Apple, with the iPhone Duo launching on October 23, according to MacRumors.
Key facts
- Apple announced a product launch for October 13 with the tagline "Welcome home." [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- The event is set for 9:00 a.m. ET in New York; 9to5Mac and Engadget put it in Tribeca. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Greg Joswiak, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, announced the date with a teaser video. [ 2 , 6 ]
- Outlets expect a smart home hub with a display, an updated HomePod mini and a new Apple TV. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 13 ]
- The Verge reported that Apple is teaming up with LG on a video doorbell, thermostat and indoor camera to launch at the event. [ 4 ]
- Apple has not said whether there will be a keynote video, 9to5Mac reported. [ 10 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Apple will hold a product launch on October 13 with the tagline "Welcome home." [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 10 , 11 ]
- The event is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. ET in New York. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- The press event is billed as an "Apple Experience" in Tribeca, New York. [ 2 , 5 ]
- Greg Joswiak posted a teaser video announcing the date. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- A smart home hub, a new HomePod mini and a new Apple TV are expected, according to several outlets. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 13 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Apple will release a full-length keynote video or announce products through press releases. 9to5Mac said Apple has not said whether there will be a keynote video; MacRumors said it will not be a traditional event and products will likely come via press releases.
- The size of the hub's display. MacRumors reported a 6-inch display, while Engadget reported a seven-inch display.
- The hub's name and price. Engadget and 9to5Mac call it "HomePad" as expected or rumored; MacRumors alone said pricing could be around $350.
- Whether LG-made home accessories will be unveiled. Reported by The Verge and 9to5Mac based on reports and leaked renders, not confirmed by Apple.
- Whether the new HomePod mini will have a display. Engadget said only that recent macOS beta code suggests it may.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- October 8: MacRumors reports Mark Gurman's expectation of an Apple "online home event" on October 13. [ 1 ]
- October 8: 9to5Mac reports Apple has announced a "Welcome home" event for October 13. [ 2 ]
- October 8: The Verge reports the event will take place in New York at 9AM ET. [ 4 ]
- October 9: 9to5Mac reports Apple has not said whether there will be a keynote video. [ 10 ]
- October 13: Scheduled start of the Apple Experience in New York. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]