News in Short

• Apple HomePad smart home hub is reportedly set to launch on October 13.
• The information comes from Bloomberg, according to 9to5Mac.
• The device is expected to feature a 6-inch display.
• Its design is reportedly inspired by the iconic iMac G4.
• The HomePad is expected to combine a smart display with a built-in speaker.
• It could run a new operating system combining elements of iOS, tvOS and watchOS.

Apple could soon enter the smart home hub market with its long-awaited HomePad. According to Bloomberg, the company plans to launch the device on October 13.

The report, cited by 9to5Mac, gives a specific launch date after an earlier report only suggested a launch “as soon as October.” Apple has not officially announced the HomePad or confirmed the reported date.

HomePad Could Revive the iMac G4 Design

One of the biggest talking points around the HomePad is its reported design.

The device is expected to feature a 6-inch display and take design inspiration from the iMac G4. That iconic Mac featured a hemispherical base with a floating display that could be raised, lowered, tilted and rotated.

The reported HomePad design appears to bring a similar concept into a smart home product.

Apple is also said to be working on two versions. One could sit on a tabletop, while another version is expected to support wall mounting.

A Smart Home Hub With a Built-In Speaker

The HomePad is expected to combine several smart home functions in a single device.

According to the report, it will feature a built-in speaker. This could allow the HomePad to function as a HomePod while also serving as a control panel for smart home devices.

The device is also expected to use a new operating system. Reports suggest the software could combine elements from iOS, tvOS and watchOS.

Siri AI is expected to sit at the centre of the experience. However, the supplied report does not provide detailed information about the AI features Apple plans to offer.

Apple Could Expand Its Home Hardware Lineup

The reported HomePad launch may not be the only smart home hardware update from Apple.

The company is also expected to introduce an updated HomePod mini with new colour options. A new Apple TV 4K with Siri AI support is reportedly planned as well.

Together, these products could give Apple a broader hardware presence across the smart home category.

However, Apple has not confirmed the products, their specifications or their launch plans in the information available here.

HomePad Could Mark Apple’s Smart Home Push

Apple has been linked to a dedicated smart home hub for some time. The latest Bloomberg report suggests the company is now preparing to make that move.

The reported October 13 launch would also represent a significant expansion into a category where Apple already has HomePod speakers, Apple TV and the Home app.

The HomePad could bring these experiences together through a dedicated screen and speaker.

The reported focus on Siri AI could also make the device different from Apple’s existing smart home hardware.

What to Expect From the HomePad

Based on the reported details, the HomePad could offer a 6-inch display, built-in speaker and Siri AI integration. Its software could combine elements of Apple’s existing operating systems.

The iMac G4-inspired design could also make it visually distinct from conventional smart displays.

Still, several important details remain unknown. These include the price, processor, display specifications, storage, connectivity options and the exact capabilities of Siri AI on the device.

Apple HomePad Launch Date

According to Bloomberg’s latest report, Apple plans to launch the HomePad on October 13. 9to5Mac notes that the device is reportedly codenamed J490.

Apple has not officially confirmed the launch date or the HomePad itself based on the supplied report.

If the October 13 date holds, more details about Apple’s smart home strategy could emerge around the launch.