Apple HomePad release date set for October 13, claims Bloomberg

Apple is preparing to enter the smart home market with a device nicknamed HomePad. According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, the release date for Apple HomePad is scheduled for October 13. 9to5mac notes that an earlier report mentioned only October, while the latest information specifies the date.

The device carries the internal designation J490. According to Gurman, it represents a major expansion of Apple's portfolio under the leadership of new CEO John Ternus.

Apple HomePad release date and other announcements

An updated HomePod mini in new colors and a new Apple TV 4K with Siri AI support are expected to arrive alongside the hub. According to MacDailyNews, both devices will retain their familiar design but will get faster processors for more powerful Siri models. The HomePod mini came to market in 2020, and the last Apple TV set-top box in 2022.

Design inspired by the iMac G4

The hub is said to have a 6-inch display. 9to5mac, The Verge, and MacObserver agree on this, though MacDailyNews mentions a range of 6 to 7 inches. The design is based on the iMac G4: a circular metal base houses the speakers and microphones, while a metal arm holds the display. According to Gurman, cited by The Verge, the device is about as thick as an iPhone and has bezels similar to older iPads. It is expected to be offered in both desktop and wall-mounted versions, in Apple's usual gray aluminum finish. Power will be supplied via USB-C, with no internal battery.

Home control and a new system

The hub will run on a new system that combines elements of iOS, tvOS, and watchOS and builds on Siri AI. It will allow control of smart devices, video calls, music, photo slideshows, or a home intercom, and facial recognition is also planned. Thanks to its speaker, it should also function as a HomePod, and the Messages app will have a two-part layout.

MacDailyNews reports that the device is being tested in Apple employees' homes. A higher-end version with a display on a robotic arm is, according to the same outlet, a project in a later phase and not part of the first wave. Daring Fireball, according to 9to5mac, hinted that Apple might hand over iPhone Duo models to reviewers on October 13 or 14 and tie it to an event for new products.