Apple is reportedly set to unveil a new smart home display on 13 October, featuring a design reminiscent of the classic iMac G4 and integrating Siri and AI functionalities to dominate the connected household market.
Apple is preparing to enter a new product category with a smart home display that could be unveiled on 13 October, according to reports first carried by El Comercio and reinforced by Bloomberg-linked speculation cited in specialist coverage. The device is expected to act as a central controller for connected household equipment, while placing Siri and Apple’s newer artificial intelligence features at the centre of the experience.
The product, which some outlets have referred to informally as HomePad or Home Hub, is said to use a square display of around six to seven inches. MacRumors reported in July that Apple was developing a smart home hub alongside a refreshed HomePod mini and an updated Apple TV 4K, with all three devices designed to make better use of Siri AI. That reporting suggested the hub would support both wall mounting and desktop use.
The most distinctive aspect of the design is the comparison with the 2002 iMac G4. MacRumors said in September that the home hub would have a square screen attached to a base by a metallic arm, echoing the suspended display and rounded footing of the classic desktop Mac. Earlier reporting from the same outlet had also suggested a small screen set at an angle on a hemispherical base, underlining Apple’s apparent interest in reviving one of its most recognisable industrial designs.
The device is expected to be permanently powered, with no battery, and to rely on USB-C for connection. According to MacRumors, the base would house speakers, microphones and a camera for FaceTime calls, while the screen would be used for household functions such as smart home controls, calendars, messages, photos, reminders, music and podcasts. Facial recognition is also expected to allow the interface to adapt to the person standing in front of it.
The launch, if it proceeds as reported, would fit into a wider push to strengthen Apple’s position in the connected home. MacRumors said the company is also preparing a new HomePod mini with a faster chip tuned for Siri AI, as well as a fourth-generation Apple TV 4K with more capable silicon. Another Apple, however, reported at the end of September that Apple had not officially announced any such home hardware, suggesting that the smart home push remains unconfirmed despite persistent reports. That makes the 13 October timeline plausible, but still provisional.
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