HomePod

Apple's October event line-up could extend beyond the newly arrived iPhone 17 pair, with reports pointing to a second-generation HomePod mini and an iPad mini 8 also being announced this month. The updated smart speaker and compact tablet would refresh two of Apple's smaller product lines, and tech watchers are now speculating about what else the company might unveil alongside them.

Apple is reportedly set to reveal its first smart home display on October 13, according to a new report. The company is also planning to launch updated versions of the HomePod Mini and Apple TV, both of which will support the new AI-powered Siri. The announcement would mark Apple's biggest push yet into dedicated smart home hardware as rivals expand their own product lines.

Apple is expected to announce additional hardware before the end of the year, following this month's debut of the iPhone 18 Pro and the folding iPhone Duo. Reported upcoming products include a new version of the HomePod mini, the iPad mini 8, and an updated Apple TV 4K, signaling an unusually packed late-year release schedule for the company.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple still aims to eventually update its larger HomePod, reassuring customers that the company remains committed to the full-sized speaker. Apple discontinued the original HomePod in 2021 before reintroducing a second-generation model. The comments suggest a bigger, high-end smart speaker remains on Apple's roadmap, though no release date or specifications were given.

Details on three unannounced Apple products have surfaced in Apple's own code. A well-known leaker found references to the chip destined for the new iPad mini, along with the color options planned for refreshed HomePod mini speakers, and information on an updated Apple TV 4K. The discovery suggests the products are in late development and could be announced soon.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple will reveal its long-rumored smart home hub on October 13th. The device is expected to launch alongside a new HomePod mini and an upgraded Apple TV. All three products are set to showcase Apple's Siri AI features, marking the company's push into AI-powered home devices.

Reports suggest Apple's October 13 smart-home focused event may pass over a new full-size HomePod, with announcements instead centered on other smart-home products. The long-rumored high-end speaker, last refreshed years ago, has been widely expected to return, so its possible absence is drawing attention from Apple watchers ahead of the event.