What time is the event?
Hi all, Lizzie Wilmot here, T3's Senior Homes Writer and avid smart home fan. I'll be kicking off today's coverage of Apple's 'Welcome Home' event, answering all your questions in the run-up and, of course, sharing all the latest details as soon as we have them.
Unlike many of Apple's usual events, today's announcement doesn't appear to include a traditional keynote. Instead, we're expecting Apple to release a video alongside a series of press releases detailing its latest products.
That said, there's an NYC media event scheduled for 9am ET (2pm UK time), which could be when the announcements start happening. So, stick with us and I'll keep you updated as we find out more.
3 products expected to arrive...
We're expecting three new products to feature in today's announcements – the HomeView hub, a new Apple TV 4K and the upgraded HomePod mini 2. Anything beyond that, such as the rumoured smart home devices Apple has reportedly been developing with LG, would be a welcome bonus.
Personally, I'm most excited to find out more about the HomeView and what it can actually do, especially after years of rumours surrounding its development. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently shared further details about its features, colour options and processor, so I'm looking forward to seeing how much of that turns out to be true – and whether Apple has any surprises up its sleeve.
Why has Apple taken so long to launch a dedicated smart home hub?
For years, Apple users have been able to control smart home devices through the Home app on their iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or Apple TV, whilst HomePods offer voice control through Siri. That meant Apple already had several ways to manage a connected home without needing a dedicated screen.
However, creating a reliable, intuitive hub takes time. Reports also suggested the HomeView was delayed because it relies on more personalised Siri features that took longer to develop, with Apple aiming to let users control devices and apps through voice commands.
Apple probably won't explain the delays today, but I'm hoping the finished product will speak for itself.
HomePod mini 2 expected to retain £129/$129 price
Despite rumours of a faster S10 processor for improved Siri AI integration, Wi-Fi 7 support via an upgraded N1 chip and new colours, the new HomePod mini 2 is reportedly set to retain its £129/$129 price tag, according to 9to5Mac.
Apple raised the price of its current HomePod mini earlier this year, taking it from £99/$99 to £129/$129. The second-generation model is expected to stick with this newer price point, rather than introduce another increase.
Each device could arrive sooner than we think
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has also shared some potential release dates that are worth noting. He reports that the second-generation HomePod mini is expected to arrive in stores on 30th October, alongside the new Apple TV 4K. The HomeView is reportedly set to arrive a little later, with availability expected in mid-November.
What are the biggest rivals to Apple's new HomeView hub?
Apple's HomeView will face competition from several existing smart displays, particularly the Amazon Echo Show 11, which looks like its closest design rival. The Google Pixel Tablet with Charging Speaker Dock is another example, although it's now discontinued.
The key difference will be the ecosystem, particularly as Amazon and Google already have established smart display ranges. I believe HomeView's biggest challenge will be convincing users that it offers something compelling enough to make them switch from, or invest in, an existing setup. However, Apple has a loyal following, so winning over customers may not be as difficult as it sounds.
HomeView could launch in two designs and a range of colours
Another detail shared by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman is the HomeView's design and colour options. There will reportedly be two models to choose from, including a version with a speaker base, available in Space Grey, Silver, Starlight and Pink, and a wall-mountable version in Silver or Space Grey.
Both versions are reportedly powered by Apple's A18 chip, with Siri and its AI capabilities at the centre of the experience.
Having two designs would give users more flexibility to choose what works best for their home. A wall-mounted model could offer a neater setup, whilst the speaker-base version would be easier to move around as needed.
A new Apple TV 4K at last!
Hi, T3's news editor Rik taking over for a little while and the product I'm most looking forward to today is the new Apple TV 4K – after all, I've only been waiting four years for a new model.
In all fairness, the current Apple TV 4K is still amongst the best streaming devices on the planet, but a new model with a few improvements has been teased for some time. Thankfully, with the advent of Siri AI, Apple now sees a reason for the upgrade.
Expect a faster processor (the A19 from the iPhone 17) and likely a new remote control with a speaker built in. This will help you find it when lost. We've also heard that Apple will include microphones in the TV box itself, so you can use voice commands without needing to press a mic button on the controller.
More to come in October
Although today's surprise launch event could include many products, it's unlikely to be the last we'll hear from Apple this month. Not only will the iPhone Duo finally be available to pre-order from this Friday, we're also expecting yet another major splurge of new devices later in October.
It is claimed that we'll get new iPads and MacBooks on 27 October, including an OLED iPad mini and the much-rumoured MacBook Ultra – Apple's first-ever touchscreen laptop. New CEO John Ternus has been busy.
Prepare for pre-orders
As Lizzie wrote in an earlier post, some of today's products could be available to buy from 30 October. However, it was also revealed by Bloomberg's resident Apple expert, Mark Gurman, that a couple of them – the new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini – could be up for pre-order today, as soon as they have been announced.
Keep checking the online Apple Store if you're eager to get your hands on either.
Will we really get an Apple video doorbell?
Lizzie also touched upon this earlier, but Apple has reportedly partnered with LG for a whole range of new smart home products to rival the likes of Ring and Google's Nest.
That includes security cameras, it seems, but also a video doorbell. But considering how much of a foothold Amazon and Ring have on the market, can it seriously make inroads into the home security sector? Time will tell.
Is an overhaul of Apple Home coming?
Hi all, Mat Gallagher with you now for the next hour or so as we wait for America to wake up. There's apparently an event planned in New York at 9am, which is 2pm UK time, so this could be when we see the first releases.
All of the devices we're expecting today have one thing in common. They will all likely use Apple's Home app to connect them. So is this about to get a big overhaul?
I'm expecting the HomeView hub to introduce a new OS entirely – a HomeOS, as it's been coined. This could be based on existing systems, such as those in the Apple Watch or Apple TV 4K, but it will need adapting.
Apple's Home app has come under fire in the past for not being as reliable as Google or Amazon's connected apps, so if there are more devices due to rely on it, I would expect a significant update here.
What's the Matter? We need home devices that all talk to each other
Having tested a large number of home devices over the years, the biggest problem is that you end up with lots of different apps for each brand or product.
I currently have one app for my dishwasher, a different one for my washing machine, a different one again for my fridge, three different security camera apps and the Google Nest, which is now in the Google Home app.
Matter is a home standard that was designed to solve this, allowing all compatible devices to talk to each other in one place. And it sort of works. My Echo Show can view cameras from different manufacturers, my smart lock and my Nest, but it still doesn't feel united.
For the HomeView, Apple's HomeOS and the Home app to really be successful, it needs to unite the Matter devices, and not ring fence. To allow you to view and operate all of the devices without having to open separate apps.
Creating a surround sound set up from HomePods
The one rumour that has excited me about the upcoming HomePod mini 2 speakers, is that you will be able to pair multiple speakers to create a full surround sound set up.
Previously you could just pair two speakers to create a stereo pair, but pairing four or more could allow for full Dolby Atmos surround, or improved Spatial Audio playback. Imagine if this number was unlimted, and you could pair 10s of speakers for a complete set up? Glorious!
How much will the HomeView hub cost?
Trying to guess the price of the upcoming HomeView is a difficult task without seeing the spec, but looking at what's already out ehre, we can probably get a good idea.
Google's Nest Hub Max now sells for £219, while Amazon's Echo Show 11 lists at £249 (though currently discounted to £134).
Then there's Apple's own devices. The HomePod mini is £129/$129, while the bigger HomePod (gen2) are £349/$349. The iPad also starts from £429/$449.
My guess is that the new HomeView could come in between £350 and £450. Sensibly, I would guess a £399/$399 starting price, with the speaker model coming in at £499/$499.
The biggest change for Apple TV 4K is likely to be Apple Intelligence
There's not expected to be any physical changes to the Apple TV 4K. Instead a more powerful chip inside (A19) and 8GB RAM. This will allow for Apple Intelligence and the new Siri AI to operate fully on the device. It will also pave the way for more powerful gaming.
Apple introduced FaceTime to the Apple TV back in 2023, and allows you to use you iPhone as a webcam. I'd loved to have seen a built in camera for this though, so you can easily take calls on your TV.
I would also love to see a silver finish and an update on the remote. While we're wishing for things, the name has always felt awkward, especially since Apple's streaming service dropped the plus, and just became Apple TV. Is it time for this to change?
How will the Apple TV 4K and HomeView work together?
It makes sense that for those that have both an Apple TV 4K and a HomeView, that the two work together. At present, the Apple TV device takes up a lot of the Home tasks, from displaying camera feeds to showing notifications when your doors lock. Will it still do all this when you have a HomeView as well?
Notifications are likely to mirror across all of your devices but we may also see the Apple TV 4K performing more of the tasks that the HomeView does, offering it as a potential alternative.
What will be interesting is how much of the Apple TV functions the HomeView is capable of. I would be surprised if you can't take FaceTime calls on it and listen to Apple Music, but you might be able to stream Apple TV content too.
Apple TV 8K?
Okay, so this is unlikely, especially as there's still not really any 8K content, but it would be great to see a new name.
How does Apple's VisionOS tie in?
Progress on the Vision Pro line has gone quiet for now, but with the explosion in smart glasses this year, especially the Meta VR glasses, I'm sure they will be back.
VisionOS is a simple design that could easily form the basis of HomeOS too, as it's largely a pared-down version of other systems – though controlled via eye tracking.
There's surely some crossover here too between what the Vision Pro or Apple's future smart glasses offer around the home and how the HomeView could work. Again, it would be great to see some integration to use the Home app in VisionOS, or for the HomeView to provide a link to Spatial operation.
Just 5 minutes to go...
Will Apple deliver everything we're expecting? Will there be any curve balls? Have we got the name of the HomeView right? We'll know very shortly
It's live on Apple's site
Take a look at the HomeView now: https://www.apple.com/uk/apple-homeview/
New products are all here
Apple HomeView
Apple HomePod mini 2
Apple TV 4K
Apple Home Collection