Apple has confirmed an event on Tuesday, October 13 at 9 a.m. Eastern in New York, with a “Welcome home” theme, and nothing else. A smart home hub with a display, a new HomePod mini and a new Apple TV are reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, not confirmed. You do not need to buy anything before Tuesday.
What Apple has confirmed
| What | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Date, time, place | Confirmed | Apple invitation, relayed by The Next Web |
| Press-only “Apple Experience” | Confirmed | Apple invitation, relayed by The Next Web |
| Livestream | Not announced | Apple has not said |
| Smart home hub | Reported | Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, relayed by The Next Web and Macworld |
| New HomePod mini | Reported | Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, relayed by The Next Web |
| New Apple TV | Reported | Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, relayed by The Next Web |
| Price, name, ship date | Unknown | No confirmation from Apple |
Apple's marketing chief Greg Joswiak posted a teaser of an embroidered rainbow Apple logo with the words “Welcome home. October 13.” Press were invited to an “Apple Experience” in Tribeca. Apple has not said what it will show or whether anyone outside the press can watch live.
What is only rumored
The hub. Macworld, relaying Gurman, describes a display of about 6 inches in tabletop and wall-mounted versions, running a new Siri AI-based software that mixes Apple Watch, Apple TV and iPad ideas. It reportedly recognizes who is nearby, has built-in apps such as Calendar, Photos and Music, and has no App Store at launch. “HomePad” is only a nickname.
HomePod mini and Apple TV. Gurman reportedly expects a new HomePod mini with a faster chip and a new Apple TV, both mostly updated inside.
Partner devices. The Next Web reports Gurman also expects home devices made with LG, such as a doorbell, smart lock, thermostat and cameras.
How likely is it?
What is still unconfirmed, how sure we are, and what would settle it. Word labels, not percentages.
Likely A smart home hub with a display is announced on Oct 13. Gurman reports it and many outlets repeat that reporting; Apple has confirmed an event but not what it will show. What would settle it: Apple's newsroom after 9 a.m. ET on Oct 13.
Likely A new HomePod mini is announced. Same Gurman report and the same caveat: nothing from Apple itself yet. What would settle it: Apple's newsroom and product pages.
Likely A new Apple TV 4K is announced. Same Gurman report; reports describe mostly internal changes. What would settle it: Apple's newsroom and product pages.
Possible The hub is called “HomePad”. The name is a nickname used by the press, not something Apple has used. What would settle it: Apple naming the product at the event.
Possible The hub launches without an App Store. Reported by Macworld relaying Gurman; software plans can change before launch. What would settle it: Apple's feature page for the hub.
Possible A price for the hub is announced the same day. One outlet has reported a figure and Apple has said nothing about price, so we do not repeat the number. What would settle it: Apple's price listing.
Possible Partner devices with LG (doorbell, lock, thermostat, cameras). Reported by Gurman; the timing and whether they appear on Oct 13 are unclear. What would settle it: Apple or LG announcing them.
Possible The event is livestreamed. Apple has not said; the invitation is for press, and a prior event was reportedly not streamed. What would settle it: Apple's events page on Oct 13.
Unlikely A larger HomePod is announced. Gurman reportedly says it is coming later, not at this event. What would settle it: Apple's newsroom.
Contested Everything goes on sale the same day. Reports differ on whether products will be announced only or also released, and Apple has given no ship dates. What would settle it: Apple's order pages.
What to do with your old HomePod or Apple TV
If it works, do nothing yet. Nothing has been announced, so there is no compatibility list, price or ship date to plan around.
If you were about to buy one, wait until after 9 a.m. ET on Tuesday and read Apple's page. A new model may be announced soon, and what it needs from your iPhone and home is not known.
If you have a supported iPhone, see our guide to everything Apple announced in September, and the iOS 27 CarPlay upgrades.
Questions and answers
When is Apple's Welcome home event?
Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 9 a.m. Eastern (6 a.m. Pacific). Apple confirmed the date and time to the press.
Where is the Apple Welcome home event being held?
In an “Apple Experience” in Tribeca, New York, to which Apple invited the press. It is not at Apple Park in Cupertino.
Will Apple livestream the Welcome home event?
Apple has not said. The invitation is press-only, and Apple's March event was reportedly not livestreamed, so a livestream is possible but not announced.
What will Apple announce on October 13?
Apple has not said. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expects three main devices: a smart home hub with a display, a new HomePod mini and a new Apple TV. Treat all three as reported, not confirmed.
What is the Apple smart home hub?
A rumored tabletop or wall-mounted display with a screen of about 6 inches, reported by Gurman via Macworld. It is reportedly not a confirmed product; the nickname “HomePad” is a placeholder, not an Apple name.
What would the smart home hub run?
Reports say a new Siri AI-based operating system that mixes parts of the Apple Watch, Apple TV and iPad interfaces, with built-in apps like Calendar, Photos and Music and reportedly no App Store at launch. This is rumor.
Is Siri AI required for the new home devices?
Gurman reportedly says the new devices rely on Siri AI, which shipped with iOS 27 in September. Apple has not confirmed what the home products need. Siri AI itself requires a supported iPhone.
Is a new HomePod mini coming?
A new HomePod mini with a faster chip is reportedly expected, according to Gurman. Apple has not confirmed it or any colors.
Is a new Apple TV 4K coming?
A new Apple TV is reportedly expected, according to Gurman, with changes mostly inside the box. Apple has not confirmed it.
Will there be new Macs or iPads on October 13?
Nothing reported points to them at this event. Reports of other Mac or iPad launches are separate and, so far, rumor.
Is a larger HomePod coming on October 13?
Gurman reportedly says a larger HomePod update is still in the works but is expected later, so it is unlikely to appear at this event.
Should I buy a HomePod or Apple TV before the event?
Nothing forces you to decide before Tuesday. If your current device works, you can wait to see what Apple actually announces, including whether it has a release date. If yours is broken or you need it now, buy what suits you; just know new models may be announced soon.
Will my current HomePod or Apple TV work with the new devices?
Unknown. Apple has not announced the new devices or their compatibility. Check Apple's own pages after the event.
How will I know what Apple really announced?
Check Apple's newsroom and the product pages on apple.com after 9 a.m. Eastern on October 13. This page will be updated once Apple publishes them.
Sources. The Next Web — Apple confirms its Welcome home launch, Macworld — the smart home hub report. Reports of price and other details come from additional outlets we saw only in search summaries and did not open. Details change; verify with Apple. This article has no affiliate links.