Just about a month after launching the iPhone 18 Pro series, Apple is holding another product launch event next week and this one appears to be all about the home.
Apple Welcome Home Launch Event Date Announced
Apple's event will take place on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, with the press experience scheduled for 9:00 AM ET (or 6:30 PM IST) in New York's Tribeca neighbourhood. Apple has not yet confirmed whether this will be a traditional keynote or whether it will be livestreamed for everyone.
Apple marketing chief Greg Joswiak shared the announcement on X, while invitations were also sent to members of the press for an event in New York.
The announcement comes just about a month after Apple unveiled its latest iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Unlike its usual large-scale events, this one appears to have a strong focus on Apple's smart home ambitions.
The biggest clue about what Apple has planned is the event's "Welcome home" tagline. While Apple has not revealed the products coming to the event, the wording strongly points toward its expected push into the smart home market.
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Apple Welcome Home Event: What to Expect
The most anticipated product expected at the event is Apple's rumoured HomePad, a smart home hub with a built-in display. As per reports, the device could feature a 6-inch square display and be available in both tabletop and wall-mounted versions.
The tabletop model is reportedly inspired by the iMac G4, with a rounded speaker base connected to the display by an arm. The display could also tilt, while the wall-mounted version is expected to have a slimmer speaker and microphone base.
Apple is also reportedly building the HomePad around the revamped Siri AI. The device could serve as a central control panel for smart home accessories while also supporting features such as music playback, video calls and photo slideshows. However, these details remain based on reports and have not been confirmed by Apple.
The HomePad may not be the only home-focused product Apple announces. Reports suggest the company is also preparing an updated Apple TV 4K and a new HomePod Mini for the event.
Both products are expected to retain their existing designs while receiving updated hardware to support Apple's newer Siri capabilities, according to recent reports.
Apple's HomePod Mini has not received a major refresh in years, while the Apple TV 4K has also been waiting for a new-generation update. That makes it more likely that the two devices will use the October 13 Apple event as a launchpad.
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Apple and LG Could Have More Smart Home Devices in the Pipeline
Apple's smart home push could extend well beyond the products expected next week. A Bloomberg report recently claimed that Apple and LG are working together on a broader range of smart home accessories. Later on, a first look at the Apple and LG home products was also leaked.
The reported lineup includes a video doorbell, smart deadbolt lock, thermostat, temperature sensor, indoor security camera, outdoor camera and floodlight camera.
However, these LG-made accessories are reportedly still several months away. So, while Apple's October 13 event could mark the beginning of its bigger smart home push, we should not expect the entire ecosystem to arrive next week.
For now, October 13 is the only thing Apple has officially confirmed, along with the "Welcome home" theme. We should learn more when Apple holds its New York event next week.
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