Apple is reportedly planning to introduce a smart-home hub, a refreshed HomePod mini, and a new Apple TV on October 13, 2026. The date and product lineup come from Bloomberg reporting by Mark Gurman, relayed by MacRumors; Apple has not confirmed them. The rumored hub is described as a small display for household information and Apple Home controls, but its name, final design, price, and availability remain unknown.
When is Apple’s smart-home hub reportedly coming out?
MacRumors reported on September 30, 2026, citing Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, that Apple plans to introduce the hub, a new HomePod mini, and an Apple TV on Tuesday, October 13. That is a reported plan, not an official Apple event announcement or a confirmed release date. Earlier coverage had described the hub as arriving as soon as October; the October 13 date is the more specific, newer report. MacRumors’ report and 9to5Mac’s coverage both attribute the timing to Bloomberg reporting.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Apple - HomePod mini - Yellow | $129.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Apple - HomePod mini - Black | $129.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Apple - HomePod mini - Orange | $129.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Amazon Echo Dot (newest model) - Vibrant sounding speaker, Designed for Alexa+, Great for bedrooms,... | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Apple - HomePod mini - Space Gray | $149.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Apple has not confirmed the products or the date in the sources reviewed. Final product names, specifications, prices, order and shipping dates, and regional availability have not been established.
What is Apple’s rumored smart-home hub?
Recent reporting describes a roughly six-inch, square display in two forms: a tabletop model and a wall-mounted version. The tabletop design is reportedly reminiscent of the iMac G4, with a screen above a rounded speaker base. Those are reported design details, not published Apple specifications; earlier coverage described a larger, seven-inch display, so the size should not be treated as settled. 9to5Mac’s September 30 report covers the latest design account.
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- Rich, 360-Degree Sound – Delivers deep bass and crisp high frequencies for immersive audio in any room.
- Siri Voice Assistant – Control music, smart home devices, and get information hands-free.
- Seamless Apple Integration – Works effortlessly with iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV for a connected experience.
- Compact & Stylish Design – Small but powerful, fits perfectly in any space.
- Privacy & Security – Designed to keep your personal information safe and secure.
Reported tabletop and wall-mounted versions
| Reported form | What coverage describes |
|---|---|
| Tabletop | A display above a rounded speaker base, with a design likened to the iMac G4. |
| Wall-mounted | A version intended to be mounted on a wall; further details are not established in the cited reporting. |
The reported purpose is to provide a shared, Siri-centered place to control a connected home and see household information. TechRepublic says reported plans include personalized contacts, messages, calendar items, notes, and preferred apps, alongside home-device controls, FaceTime, music, photo slideshows, and kitchen video or recipe use. These are reported intended capabilities, not confirmed features or hands-on test results. TechRepublic’s coverage describes those reported uses.
What is reportedly changing in the HomePod mini?
The planned HomePod mini refresh is reportedly expected to retain the current model’s exterior while adding a faster processor for newer Siri capabilities. MacRumors also reports pink and green as possible color options. Apple has not confirmed the refresh, its chip, colors, or feature set. MacRumors’ launch report summarizes those claims.
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- Rich, 360-Degree Sound – Delivers deep bass and crisp high frequencies for immersive audio in any room.
- Siri Voice Assistant – Control music, smart home devices, and get information hands-free.
- Seamless Apple Integration – Works effortlessly with iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV for a connected experience.
- Compact & Stylish Design – Small but powerful, fits perfectly in any space.
- Privacy & Security – Designed to keep your personal information safe and secure.
The reported mini is a separate product from the rumored display hub. Nothing in the available reporting establishes that the current HomePod mini will gain the rumored hub’s screen or the new model’s reported hardware.
Should you buy a HomePod mini now or wait?
If you need an Apple Home hub now, the current HomePod mini is an existing, purchasable product. Apple says it can act as a home hub for remotely controlling HomeKit and Matter-enabled accessories. Apple’s HomePod mini product page describes that role and lists the current model in its store.
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- Rich, 360-Degree Sound – Delivers deep bass and crisp high frequencies for immersive audio in any room.
- Siri Voice Assistant – Control music, smart home devices, and get information hands-free.
- Seamless Apple Integration – Works effortlessly with iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV for a connected experience.
- Compact & Stylish Design – Small but powerful, fits perfectly in any space.
- Privacy & Security – Designed to keep your personal information safe and secure.
If your decision depends on the rumored display, refreshed mini, or newer Siri capabilities, waiting for an official announcement is the safer choice: none of those details is confirmed, and neither price nor availability is established. The report does not make the upcoming products orderable.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How does the existing Apple Home hub setup work?
Apple’s current Home ecosystem already supports remote control of compatible accessories through a home hub. Its iOS 26 feature documentation gives one specific example: a supported feature requires a home hub such as Apple TV or HomePod and a compatible Matter thermostat. That example does not mean every thermostat or Matter device works with every Apple Home feature. Check the individual accessory’s Apple Home and Matter compatibility before buying. Apple’s Matter accessory documentation explains the stated requirement.
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- Rich, 360-Degree Sound – Delivers deep bass and crisp high frequencies for immersive audio in any room.
- Siri Voice Assistant – Control music, smart home devices, and get information hands-free.
- Seamless Apple Integration – Works effortlessly with iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV for a connected experience.
- Compact & Stylish Design – Small but powerful, fits perfectly in any space.
- Privacy & Security – Designed to keep your personal information safe and secure.
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- Your favorite music and content – Play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and others or via Bluetooth throughout your home.
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- Keep your home comfortable – Control compatible smart home devices with your voice and routines triggered by built-in motion or indoor temperature sensors. Create routines to automatically turn on lights when you walk into a room, or start a fan if the inside temperature goes above your comfort zone.
- Do more with device pairing – Fill your home with music using compatible Echo devices in different rooms, or create a home theatre system with Fire TV.
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What has not been confirmed?
- Whether Apple will announce any of these products on October 13, 2026.
- The hub’s final name, screen size, design, features, and whether both reported forms will be offered.
- The refreshed HomePod mini’s chip, colors, features, price, and availability.
- Order and shipping dates, regional availability, and final specifications for the rumored products.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
