Apple is reportedly preparing a dedicated smart-home hub for November, with tabletop and wall-mounted versions, Matter and Thread support, and no third-party App Store.
Apple’s long-rumoured smart home hub, now said to be called HomeView, is expected to appear at the company’s “Welcome home” event on 13 October and reach customers in mid-November, according to Bloomberg and reports citing Mark Gurman’s latest notes. The device is being positioned as a dedicated home-control terminal rather than a general-purpose tablet, with Apple apparently aiming to give Siri, the Home app and connected accessories a more central role in the household. That timing would place it behind the new Apple TV and updated HomePod mini that are also expected around the same launch window.
The hub is said to run on Apple’s A18 chip and to come in two versions: a tabletop model with a metal speaker base and a wall-mounted model with a flatter fixture beneath the screen. Reporting from MacRumors and ComputerBase indicates that the tabletop edition may arrive in Space Grey, Silver, Starlight and Pink, while the wall version is expected only in Space Grey and Silver. The display is described as touch-capable, but voice commands through Siri are intended to remain the main way of using the device.
Apple is also said to be limiting the product’s scope. Bloomberg and MacRumors both report that HomeView will not be a full iPad replacement and will not have its own App Store for third-party software. Instead, the device is expected to ship with a small set of Apple apps focused on smart-home controls, status information and Home app management. Some reports also suggest additional functions such as photo viewing, calendar access, music playback and FaceTime calls, although Apple’s final software approach remains unclear.
Connectivity is expected to centre on Matter and Thread, which would allow the hub to work with a broad range of connected-home products. Bloomberg has also reported that Apple’s wider smart-home plan extends beyond the hub itself, with doorbell, lock and thermostat products being developed with LG Electronics and intended to integrate with HomeView, a refreshed HomePod mini and a new Apple TV 4K. One unresolved question is whether Apple will offer the device in Europe with its updated AI-powered Siri features at launch.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
