Apple's much-rumoured smart home display has a name. The device will be called HomeView and is expected to be the main announcement at Apple's Welcome Home event on Tuesday, October 13, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported in his weekly Power On newsletter. Buyers, however, may need to wait until around mid-November to get their hands on it, a timeline Gurman said holds “at least as of now.”
HomeView Chip, Design and Colours
According to Gurman, HomeView will be powered by the A18 chip and serve as a Siri-driven control hub for homes that rely on Apple devices.
The countertop model rests on a metal base that doubles as a speaker and will be offered in space gray, silver, starlight and pink. For those who prefer to mount it, a wall version sits above a flat, square base, with colour choices narrowed to space gray and silver.
ALSO READ | Apple TV+ Shakes Hands With Amazon Prime Video For Tapping Severance, Ted Lasso Fans In India
Apple Apps Only, No App Store
The name hints at how Apple expects HomeView to be used: mostly by looking at it and talking to it from across the room, with touch as a backup. Many had expected the name HomePad, which would have suggested an iPad-like experience instead.
Gurman said HomeView will come with only a handful of Apple's own apps, and there won't be an App Store to download others. He added that it will offer better sound than the new HomePod mini.
The HomeView name first showed up in September 2024, in a trademark filing made by a shell company. Apple's home device plans were delayed several times due to setbacks with its revamped Siri.
ALSO READ | Apple iCloud+ Gets Major Upgrade In India: Apple TV, Apple Arcade Included
Apple Home Collection With LG
Apple is also reportedly expanding into other smart home products under the name Apple Home Collection. Working with LG Electronics, it has helped design a smart doorbell, a deadbolt lock, a thermostat, a temperature sensor, indoor and outdoor security cameras, and a floodlight camera. LG will produce these devices and handle their support, though they aren't expected until later this year at the earliest. In Europe, Apple has teamed up with Schneider Electric on energy products.
ALSO READ | Apple Launch On Nov. 12? Stores Reportedly Preparing For New Product Displays
New HomePod Mini and Apple TV
A refreshed HomePod mini and Apple TV are also expected at the event and will hit stores earlier, on October 30. The HomePod mini will get an S10 chip and new colours: pink, white, green, blue and midnight. The Apple TV moves to an A19 chip, and Apple has tested built-in microphones for Siri, along with a remote that has a speaker to make it easier to find.
Event Timing
The event starts at 9 am ET (6:30 pm IST), with an in-person media presentation in New York and an online video. Apple has not announced pricing or India availability.
Essential Business Intelligence, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice, Daily Fuel, Gold and Silver Prices and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.