Apple is reportedly planning to introduce a new smart-home hub on October 13, 2026, according to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, as relayed by Macworld. That is a reported introduction date—not an Apple-confirmed launch, shipping date, or promise that the device will be available to buy that day. The rumored tabletop design, with a display on an articulated arm and round speaker base, recalls the iMac G4.
What does “coming in two weeks” mean?
Macworld published its report on September 30 and said Gurman’s reporting points to October 13 for Apple’s introduction of smart-home products, including a new hub. The “two weeks” phrasing is relative to that September 30 story. Gurman’s report, as described by Macworld, did not say whether Apple would hold an event or make an announcement on its website. Macworld’s September 30 report and MacRumors’ same-day account both attribute the timing and product details to Gurman; they are not independent confirmations from Apple.
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Why the rumored design recalls the iMac G4
The comparison is about the reported tabletop hub’s arrangement: a compact display held above a round base by an arm. Macworld describes a square screen about six inches across, thick black bezels, a gray aluminum finish, and a polished metal arm that can be tilted manually forward or backward. The round base reportedly has perforated openings for its speaker. These are reported design details, not specifications Apple has confirmed.
Two reported ways to place the hub
| Reported configuration | Placement and design | Power detail reported |
|---|---|---|
| Tabletop | Display on a tilt-adjustable metal arm above a round speaker base | Not stated in the September 30 Macworld account |
| Wall-mounted | Display above a thin, square speaker-and-microphone base | Would need continuous power, according to Macworld’s report |
The reports do not establish that either configuration is available to order, whether the wall-mounted version includes all necessary mounting hardware, or how the two would differ in price or software. Those comparisons will have to wait for official product details.
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What the hub might do
MacRumors says the reported concept is a shared household screen for controlling home devices and accessing information, with a front-facing FaceTime camera. Possible uses named in its account include video calls, intercom-style messages, audio playback, photo slideshows, watching videos, and finding recipes by voice. It also reports that the hub could recognize a speaker or someone approaching and personalize what appears on screen, with a visitor mode intended to hide personal information. Apple has not demonstrated or confirmed these features in the sources reviewed.
Apple TV and HomePod already have roles in Apple’s smart-home ecosystem, and Apple devices can control HomeKit setups. The rumored hub’s apparent distinction is a dedicated screen for shared, at-a-glance household use; the reports do not establish which existing functions it would add, replace, or require.
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- Your favorite music and content – Play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and others or via Bluetooth throughout your home.
- Alexa is happy to help – Ask Alexa for weather updates and to set hands-free timers, get answers to your questions and even hear jokes. Need a few extra minutes in the morning? Just tap your Echo Dot to snooze your alarm.
- Keep your home comfortable – Control compatible smart home devices with your voice and routines triggered by built-in motion or indoor temperature sensors. Create routines to automatically turn on lights when you walk into a room, or start a fan if the inside temperature goes above your comfort zone.
- Do more with device pairing – Fill your home with music using compatible Echo devices in different rooms, or create a home theatre system with Fire TV.
- Say goodbye to drop-offs and buffering - With eero Built-in, Echo Dot doubles as a mesh wifi extender, adding up to 1,000 sq. ft. of wifi coverage to your existing eero network.
What remains unconfirmed
- Product name: “HomePad” is a press nickname, not a confirmed Apple name.
- Announcement details: October 13 is the date attributed to Gurman’s reporting, not a date Apple has announced.
- Availability and price: The reviewed reports do not establish a release or shipping date, retail availability, or price.
- Final specifications: The approximately six-inch display and other design and feature details remain reports, not verified Apple specifications.
- Compatibility and privacy: The sources do not confirm supported devices, software requirements, or how the described recognition and visitor-mode features would work.
MacRumors’ background coverage includes earlier rumored screen-size descriptions that differ from the newer September 30 account. For now, the roughly six-inch figure belongs to that newer report; it should not be treated as a final measurement or combined with older estimates as though Apple had published a specification sheet. MacRumors’ background guide provides that earlier rumor context.
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What to watch for on October 13
If Apple does introduce the hub on the reported date, the practical questions are whether both configurations are real, what the final name and price are, when they will ship, and which smart-home devices they support. Until then, the clearest takeaway is a reported product direction—a display-equipped household control point with a tabletop design reminiscent of the iMac G4—not a confirmed product announcement.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
- Your favorite music and content – Play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and others or via Bluetooth throughout your home.
- Alexa is happy to help – Ask Alexa for weather updates and to set hands-free timers, get answers to your questions and even hear jokes. Need a few extra minutes in the morning? Just tap your Echo Dot to snooze your alarm.
- Keep your home comfortable – Control compatible smart home devices with your voice and routines triggered by built-in motion or indoor temperature sensors. Create routines to automatically turn on lights when you walk into a room, or start a fan if the inside temperature goes above your comfort zone.
- Do more with device pairing – Fill your home with music using compatible Echo devices in different rooms, or create a home theatre system with Fire TV.
- Say goodbye to drop-offs and buffering - With eero Built-in, Echo Dot doubles as a mesh wifi extender, adding up to 1,000 sq. ft. of wifi coverage to your existing eero network.
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