If you still have not automated your home, you may not have to wait much longer. The lights and heating could turn on according to a schedule, your water heater could heat water exactly when you need it, and saying “Siri, turn off the bathroom lights” could save you from getting out of bed. According to Apple insiders, the company is preparing its biggest smart home push in years, with Bloomberg reporting that three new devices could arrive on October 13, 2026. Apple fans may have plenty to look forward to.
Three devices we are expecting
HomePad: the smart home hub
This is expected to be the biggest new product and Apple’s first dedicated smart display. Macworld, citing Gurman, reports that it could feature a 7-inch display running a tvOS-based operating system. The device is also expected to support FaceTime, smart home controls and facial recognition, allowing it to identify who is speaking and display personalized information. According to Digit, the device, reportedly known internally as J490, will feature a touchscreen, speakers, microphones and a camera for FaceTime.
The interface is rumored to resemble the Apple Watch, with widgets and watch-style faces. There are reportedly two versions in development, with one featuring a display mounted on a semi-dome base that resembles a HomePod mini cut in half. According to Gurman, Apple expects people to place several of these devices around their homes, for example in the kitchen and bedroom.
Apple is also reportedly working on a smart security camera and a more premium hub with a 9-inch display mounted on a motorized arm that can move as needed. Earlier reports suggested a target price of around $350, but this remains unconfirmed and Apple has not announced any pricing.
Second-generation HomePod mini
This would be the first update to Apple’s compact smart speaker since 2020. The design is expected to remain largely unchanged, but the new model could get a more powerful processor designed to handle the AI-powered version of Siri. Reports also point to Apple’s N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7, a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, improved audio and possibly new colors, including red.
The basic smart home features are likely to remain. The current HomePod mini can act as a home hub and Thread border router, while its temperature and humidity sensors can be used for home automations. Multiple speakers can also be paired for multi-room audio or stereo sound. For an apartment, it could remain one of the most affordable ways to add a home hub and voice control to a room.
Apple TV 4K
Apple’s streaming box is also expected to double as a smart home hub. The exterior will reportedly remain largely unchanged, while the main upgrades will be inside. According to iThinkDiff, the new model could feature a faster chip capable of handling Siri AI, along with Apple’s N1 wireless chip.
For home automation, the important part is that Apple TV 4K can act as a home hub for controlling smart accessories, while a model with Thread support can connect to Thread devices. It can also be paired with a HomePod mini for hands-free Siri voice control. In other words, the living room could get both an entertainment system and a central control point for the rest of the home.
Everything listed above is still based on rumors. Apple has not confirmed the release date, product names or specifications.
How it all works together
The whole setup revolves around a home hub — a device that stays powered on and manages your smart home even when you are away. It handles automations, enables remote access and acts as the connection point for Matter and Thread accessories. You give a voice command to an Apple device, and the hub passes it on to the appropriate light, switch or smart plug. According to the rumors, HomePad would take this a step further by combining smart home controls with FaceTime and facial recognition.
What about the water heater?
There is an important catch here. A HomePad or HomePod mini will not magically turn a regular water heater into a smart one. To make it heat water on a schedule, you need to connect it through a compatible smart relay, smart plug or thermostat that supports HomeKit or Matter. Once that is set up, the home hub can handle the automation.
What we still do not know
Apple has not officially confirmed anything yet — not the date, product names or pricing. HomePad and homeOS are still unofficial names used in reports and rumors. Siri is another major question mark. According to reports, the launch has been delayed while Apple works on the new version of Siri, and how reliable it turns out to be could determine whether all of these smart home features work as seamlessly as expected.
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