iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Apple already has a smart-home platform: Apple Home connects compatible accessories to the Home app and Siri. What is not yet confirmed is the rumored new home hardware described in recent press reports. John Ternus became Apple CEO on September 1, 2026, and his background in hardware engineering makes the reported home push notable—but Apple has not officially confirmed the rumored products or their specifications.
Why Apple’s home strategy is in focus
Apple says John Ternus became CEO on September 1, 2026. He joined Apple in 2001, became a vice president of Hardware Engineering in 2013, and joined the executive team as senior vice president in 2021, according to Apple’s leadership biography. That hardware background gives added context to reports that Apple may be preparing a broader smart-home effort, but it does not establish what the company will announce or when.
Apple’s April 2026 succession announcement described the scale of the company Ternus now leads: Apple said its market capitalization rose from approximately US$350 billion to US$4 trillion under Tim Cook, an increase of more than 1,000%; annual revenue grew from US$108 billion in fiscal 2011 to more than US$416 billion in fiscal 2025; and its active installed base exceeded 2.5 billion devices. Apple also said Services became a business worth more than US$100 billion. Those are company-reported figures, not evidence of Apple’s performance in the smart-home market.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWhat Apple Home can already do
Apple Home lets people control compatible accessories through the Home app and Siri. Apple’s developer guidance covers Matter-certified categories including lights, outlets, switches, fans, blinds and shades, locks, thermostats, air purifiers, robot vacuums, bridges, and specified sensors. Compatibility is category- and feature-dependent: check that the particular accessory is certified and supports the functions you want, rather than assuming every device in a category behaves identically.
#1 Best Overall
- Premium, immersive, high-fidelity audio
For a practical starting point, a Matter-certified smart plug compatible with Apple Home can add app or Siri control to a suitable plugged-in device. Verify the specific product listing and your hub needs before buying; Apple’s category guidance is not an endorsement of any individual accessory.
Do you need a HomePod or Apple TV for Matter accessories?
Not always. Apple’s requirements depend on the accessory’s connectivity and the features you want. For the listed non-Thread case, an iPhone running iOS 18 or later or an iPad running iPadOS 18 or later can be used for pairing and local control. A compatible HomePod or Apple TV configured as a home hub is required for automations, notifications, and remote access.
Thread accessories have an additional requirement: Apple says they need a Thread-enabled Apple Home hub. Some older hub models require a compatible Thread border router. Because the right setup varies by accessory and hub model, consult Apple’s current Apple Home developer guidance and the accessory maker’s requirements before purchase or setup.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #2
- Your favorite music and content – Play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and others or via Bluetooth throughout your home.
- Alexa is happy to help – Ask Alexa for weather updates and to set hands-free timers, get answers to your questions and even hear jokes. Need a few extra minutes in the morning? Just tap your Echo Dot to snooze your alarm.
- 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.
- Say goodbye to drop-offs and buffering - With eero Built-in, Echo Dot doubles as a mesh wifi extender, adding up to 1,000 sq. ft. of wifi coverage to your existing eero network.
What is Apple’s new smart-home hub?
It is a reported product, not a confirmed Apple product announcement in the sources available as of October 12, 2026. Bloomberg reported on September 30 that Apple planned a smart-home push around October 13 that could include a hub, an updated HomePod mini, and an updated Apple TV. Tom’s Guide published expectations for a reported October 13 event. These reports do not establish final product names, prices, design, technical specifications, launch status, or availability.
So the careful answer to “Is Apple making a HomePod with a screen?” is that press coverage has raised expectations about new home hardware, but the cited sources do not confirm that specific device or its features. Treat the event date and product details as reported until Apple publishes an announcement.
What Siri could add—and what remains uncertain
Apple announced a next generation of Apple Intelligence and Siri AI in June 2026. The company described planned capabilities including understanding personal context, taking actions across apps, answering with awareness of what is on screen, and finding information on the web. Apple also said the features may change and documented device, language, beta, and regional limitations.
Rank #3
- Your favorite music and content – Play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and others or via Bluetooth throughout your home.
- Alexa is happy to help – Ask Alexa for weather updates and to set hands-free timers, get answers to your questions and even hear jokes. Need a few extra minutes in the morning? Just tap your Echo Dot to snooze your alarm.
- 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.
- Say goodbye to drop-offs and buffering - With eero Built-in, Echo Dot doubles as a mesh wifi extender, adding up to 1,000 sq. ft. of wifi coverage to your existing eero network.
That makes Siri a plausible part of Apple’s broader home story: a more capable assistant could make it easier to control devices and coordinate tasks. But Apple has not confirmed that any rumored home hub will ship with these capabilities, and the announcement does not prove how well or when they will work in a home setting. Check Apple’s June 2026 announcement for the stated feature and availability qualifications.
What Ternus’s appointment does—and does not—signal
Ternus’s appointment and engineering career make hardware a natural lens through which to view reports about Apple’s home plans. Apple’s succession announcement quoted board chair Arthur Levinson calling Ternus a leader with “deep technical knowledge” and a focus on creating products. That is the board’s assessment, not a product roadmap.
The grounded picture is narrower: Apple has a documented Home platform, certified accessory categories, and published hub requirements; it has also announced a new Siri direction. The additional hardware push remains press-reported in the cited coverage. Apple’s scale and Ternus’s résumé may explain why a home strategy attracts attention, but neither demonstrates that the strategy will succeed.
Quick Recap
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.
