Apple officially confirms October 13 event for smart home gear: iCulture
Apple has officially confirmed a special product experience scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 15:00 Dutch time, ending weeks of rumors surrounding an autumn event, according to reporting by iCulture. The gathering will focus primarily on smart home hardware, including a long-awaited smart display, an updated HomePod mini, and a refreshed Apple TV.
Apple Experience Replaces Traditional Keynote
Rather than holding a conventional live-streamed keynote, Apple has sent out invitations for a hands-on media gathering in New York, Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman reported in his Power On newsletter, as cited by Yellow.com and Letem světem Applem. Invitees will be able to examine and test the new devices directly. Letem světem Applem noted that the digital invitations omitted standard details like a viewing schedule or specific presentation links, prompting speculation that the hardware might also be detailed via traditional press releases alongside the private session.
Bright.nl reported that Apple could potentially host a second presentation later in October to showcase additional hardware lines, such as thin MacBook Ultra models with OLED screens, 14-inch MacBook Pro units, M6-powered iMacs, and a new OLED iPad mini. However, the October 13 gathering itself is slated to concentrate heavily on connected-home technology running on Siri AI, which entered beta testing on September 14, according to Yellow.com.
Siri AI Powers New Smart Home Lineup
The centerpiece of the October 13 announcements is expected to be Apple’s first dedicated smart home hub, internally designated as J490, as detailed by Yellow.com. The device features a square display measuring approximately 6 inches on a half-round base, designed to function either on a stand or mounted on a wall. It includes a built-in selfie camera intended for FaceTime calls and user identification through voice and facial recognition, allowing it to display personalized content for different household members.
Alongside the display, Apple is preparing to release an updated Apple TV and a second-generation HomePod mini. Both companion devices are expected to retain their existing physical designs while incorporating upgraded internal chips capable of running Siri AI features. Yellow.com noted that the HomePod mini will additionally arrive in new green and pink color options. Bright.nl added that test models of Apple’s foldable iPhone Duo are also anticipated to circulate among select reviewers around the time of the event, ahead of expected pre-orders.
Apple Delays Smart Home Hub and Prepares M5 Ultra Mac Studio
Yellow.com reported that the smart home hub was originally planned for the spring of 2025, but was delayed while Apple completely rebuilt Siri. Alongside the home devices and computers, Bright.nl noted that Apple is preparing to release the extra-strong Mac Studio featuring an M5 Ultra chip and 512GB of RAM, a machine suited for running AI models that had faced previous delivery interruptions due to RAM shortages. iCulture also mentioned that Apple is expected to add a security camera to its smart home strategy later, though it will not appear at the October 13 session. Regarding software functionality on the new hardware, iCulture noted that standard applications such as Calendar, Notes, Reminders, Messages, and FaceTime will run on the smart display, while Yellow.com highlighted that pre-orders for the foldable iPhone Duo are scheduled to open on October 16, with deliveries beginning on October 23.
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