Apple is reportedly preparing to host an event on October 13, 2026, to introduce its first smart home hub alongside refreshed HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K models. The upcoming device, code-named J490 inside Apple, is designed to run Siri AI and features a display mounted on a tilting metal arm.
Fall product plans extend well beyond the iPhone lineup focused on mobile devices in September. Following the release of the iPhone 18 Pro and the introduction of the foldable iPhone, technology industry observers point to mid-October for the company’s next hardware announcements. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple is planning to hold an event on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, marking one of the first major category expansions under Chief Executive Officer John Ternus.
Code-Named J490 and the Design of Apple’s New Smart Home Hub
The centerpiece of the anticipated October hardware slate is a dedicated smart home control center internally code-named J490. Often discussed under the unconfirmed name HomePad
or Home Hub, the countertop model is built around a square screen measuring roughly 6 inches diagonally.
A polished metal arm holds the display above a round aluminum base wrapped in speaker perforations, bearing a clear resemblance to the early-2000s iMac G4. The hardware includes no battery, requiring a permanent connection over USB-C, and features no physical volume or power buttons. A single front-facing camera handles FaceTime video calls and user recognition.
While initial rumors pointed only to a standard gray aluminum finish, leak analysis of setup assets indicates the device may launch in four distinct colors: Silver, Space Gray, Starlight, and Rose Pink. Alongside the tabletop version, reports suggest a wall-mounted variation will be offered for permanent room control.
New Operating System Integrates Siri with Home Controls
The device operates on a dedicated operating system that blends iPad-style two-panel applications—such as Messages—with Apple Watch icon grids, accompanied by clock and photo faces derived from the iPhone’s upgraded StandBy mode. Users can direct the assistant to retrieve older shared songs, locate specific images, or manage entries in Notes and Calendar.
Employees have been testing the units extensively within their households to control lighting, adjust thermostats, operate room-to-room intercoms, and cycle through personal photo collections. The system requires the overhauled assistant introduced with iOS 27.
Refreshed HomePod Mini and Apple TV 4K Join the Lineup
The smart display will not debut alone. The product rollout encompasses three core home products, pairing the display hub with updates to existing accessories.
- HomePod Mini Update: Retaining its familiar exterior from its 2020 debut, the compact speaker receives a faster processor capable of running newer AI models, alongside new green and pink color options to join existing choices like white and midnight.
- Apple TV 4K Refresh: The streaming set-top box keeps its previous external design while gaining a faster chip for enhanced gaming performance and Siri AI support, alongside a revised Siri Remote and potential Wi-Fi 7 capabilities through Apple’s N1 wireless chip.
- Larger HomePod Timeline: A new version of the full-size HomePod remains planned for an eventual release, but is not slated for the October announcements.
Retail Shipments Signal Imminent October Reveal
Retail logistics point toward an imminent reveal. Apple retail locations have reportedly received shipments marked with strict instructions Do Not Open Until October 8,
signaling upcoming in-store display setup preparations.
“Since 2010, Apple has held an October event just 10 times, with the most recent one being the Halloween-themed ‘Scary Fast’ event on the evening of October 30, 2023.”
9to5Mac reporting team
While historical autumn announcements follow less predictable schedules than the company’s September keynotes—ranging from the press releases seen in October 2024 to the event of October 2023—official confirmation of the presentation format from Cupertino remains pending.
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