Apple's 'Welcome home' event on 13 October: what to expect

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Apple has a launch tomorrow, and this one is all about your home. The company has invited the press to New York on Tuesday, 13 October, under the tagline "Welcome home". It hasn't named a single product yet. Still, the reports point to Apple's first smart home hub with a screen, plus a new HomePod mini and a new Apple TV. Here's what we know for sure, what is only a rumour, and what it means if you're thinking of buying a smart speaker or a streaming box this month.

When is Apple's Welcome home event?

The launch starts at 9 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, 13 October, in New York. That's 2 p.m. in London, 3 p.m. in Paris, 5 p.m. in Dubai and 6:30 p.m. in India. Apple marketing chief Greg Joswiak teased it with a short post that simply said "Welcome home. October 13."

This isn't one of Apple's big keynote shows. According to The Next Web, citing 9to5Mac, Apple invited the press to an "Apple Experience" in Tribeca, New York. MacRumors notes that it isn't listed on Apple's Events page. So don't expect a long video with people walking on a stage.

How can I watch the Apple event?

You probably can't watch it live, because Apple isn't expected to stream it. Instead, the news should appear on Apple Newsroom soon after 9 a.m. ET, along with short product videos on Apple's YouTube channel.

Hands-on photos and videos from the people who were in the room usually follow within an hour or two. If you're in India, check around 7 p.m. on Tuesday and most of the details should be out.

What is Apple expected to announce?

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expects three main devices: a smart home hub with a display, a new HomePod mini with a faster chip, and a new Apple TV. Apple hasn't confirmed any of them, so treat everything below as a well-sourced rumour until Tuesday.

Apple's first smart home hub

This is the big one. Reports describe a square touch screen of about 6 to 7 inches sitting on a round speaker base. Think of it as a HomePod and a small iPad joined together. You'd use it to control lights and locks, play music and make FaceTime video calls with its front camera.

Some reports say a presence sensor will spot who walks up and change the screen to show that person's widgets. There may also be a version you can mount on a wall. MacRumors says the name "HomeView" has leaked, but Apple hasn't used it. On price, one outlet guesses around $350. Nobody has confirmed that, so I wouldn't plan a budget around it yet.

A new HomePod mini

The current HomePod mini is now several years old, so an update is overdue. The rumours point to a newer chip that can run the new Siri AI, plus Apple's N1 wireless chip for better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. MacRumors also hears about better sound and new colours, possibly including pink and green.

A faster Apple TV 4K

The new Apple TV is expected to get a much faster A-series chip, Wi-Fi 7 and support for the new Siri. MacRumors also mentions a revised Siri Remote. Reports differ on the exact chip, so wait for Apple's spec sheet before you compare it with your current box.

Cameras, locks and a doorbell made with LG

Gurman also expects Apple-branded home gear built with LG. The list includes a video doorbell, a smart door lock, a thermostat, and indoor, outdoor and floodlight cameras. A temperature sensor may come later. It's not clear if all of these will appear tomorrow or later in the year.

Why is Apple launching home products now?

These devices were reportedly meant to arrive at the end of 2024. Gurman says Apple held them back because they rely on the new, smarter Siri, which wasn't ready. Now that Siri AI is rolling out, the home lineup can finally launch. We covered how the new Siri sounds in our post on the iOS 27 Siri changes.

This is also Apple's answer to the Amazon Echo Show and Google's Nest Hub. Both have had screen-based home hubs for years. Apple is late, but it has one big advantage. If you already use an iPhone, the hub should simply work with your photos, calendar, FaceTime and Home app from day one.

When will the new devices go on sale?

Apple hasn't given any dates. Headlines on MacRumors suggest that pre-orders could open this week, that the new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini could ship on 30 October, and that the hub could follow in mid-November in four colours. These are reports, not Apple announcements, so check again after Tuesday.

MacRumors has also heard about more new Apple products in the last week of October. That's a separate launch from this one.

Should you wait before buying a HomePod or Apple TV?

Yes. If you were about to buy a HomePod mini or an Apple TV this week, hold off for a few days. A new model is very likely to land tomorrow, and the older one may then get cheaper at other stores. The same goes for a smart display. If you've been eyeing an Echo Show or a Nest Hub and you live in Apple's world, it's worth seeing what Apple offers first.

If you're also thinking about a new Mac, our guide on whether to wait for the M6 MacBook Pro covers the next big Apple laptop.

What happens next?

We'll know the full story on Tuesday evening, India time. Expect prices, release dates and real specs from Apple, and then the first hands-on reviews. My guess is that the home hub will steal the show. If Apple gets the price right and Siri works well, it could finally make smart homes simple for regular iPhone users.

We'll keep an eye on it and share the details that matter to you. See you soon!

Image credits: HomePod mini photo by AzureSaturn (CC0) and Apple TV 4K photo by Dillan Payne (CC BY-SA 4.0), both via Wikimedia Commons. Graphics by Daily Techocracy.