Apple Welcome Home event today, what to expect from HomeView, Apple TV and more

Apple has already conquered your pocket; tonight, it is officially coming for your living room.

In Short

• Apple is hosting its Welcome Home event today focusing entirely on new AI powered smart home devices
• The main announcement is the HomeView smart display which uses Face ID to show personalised schedules and control home gadgets
• Apple is also launching a faster Apple TV 4K for gaming and a smarter HomePod mini in fresh new colors

Apple is shifting its focus from your pocket to your living room. Just a month after launching its latest flagship iPhones, the tech giant is hosting a special "Welcome Home" event today, October 13. This time, the focus is entirely on new smart home gadgets powered by a much smarter, revamped Siri.

Though there is no keynote, Apple is holding media briefings in select locations with one in New York City scheduled for 9:00 AM ET which translates to 6:30 PM IST. Instead of a traditional live keynote, Apple is expected to release an online video presentation while hosting the in-person media gathering, to make the announcements.

Apple HomeView expected

The biggest highlight is said to be a brand-new product reportedly called the HomeView. This is Apple's long-rumoured smart home display, designed to act as a central command centre for your house. It features a 6-inch square touch screen with uniform bezels, but you will mostly interact with it using your voice. Powered by the A18 chip and 8GB of RAM, the device is tipped to seamlessly manage smart lights, display recipes, play videos, and run Apple apps like Calendar and FaceTime.

Interestingly, it will not have a dedicated App Store, reports suggest. Instead, it is sad to use a built-in camera and sensors to detect who walks into the room using a variation of Face ID. Once it recognises you, it may automatically show your personal calendar, emails, and reminders.

Apple is said to be making two versions of the HomeView. One is a flat, wall-mounted panel available in silver and space grey. The other sits on a countertop with a half-dome speaker base and comes in silver, space grey, starlight, and pink. It must remain plugged in via a USB-C cable. Rumours suggest the HomeView will cost around $350 and will start shipping to customers in mid-November.

Apple TV 4K update

For movie lovers and gamers, Apple is expected to give the Apple TV 4K a massive internal upgrade. It will look like the same familiar black box on the outside, but it may get a huge power boost inside with the new A19 chip and 8GB of RAM.

This would make it a serious gaming device capable of advanced graphics, while also supporting advanced Siri AI features. Apple has reportedly even tested built-in microphones on the device so you could talk to Siri without holding a remote. Speaking of the remote, the new Siri Remote will finally feature a built-in speaker, making it much easier to ping and locate when it gets lost in the couch cushions. The new Apple TV is expected to launch on October 30, with prices starting at $199.

HomePod mini update

The popular HomePod mini is also getting a big internal refresh, according to reports. While the round, fabric-wrapped design may stay the same, it is said to run on a new S10 chip. This upgrade is all about making Siri much smarter.

By working with your connected Apple devices, the speaker will be able to handle complex follow-up questions and multi-part requests, making it feel much more conversational. Apple is also reportedly introducing fresh colour options, including pink, white, green, blue, and midnight. You can expect the new HomePod mini to hit stores on October 30 for about $129.

LG smart accessories

Beyond its own gadgets, Apple is teaming up with LG to launch a series of smart home accessories called the Apple Home Collection. This lineup will include indoor and outdoor security cameras, smart deadbolt locks, thermostats, and video doorbells that connect perfectly with the HomeView. However, these accessories are not expected to be available until later this year.

Finally, if you were hoping to see new MacBooks or an updated iPad mini today, you may have to wait just a little longer. Apple is reportedly planning a separate hardware event later this month for its computers. Tonight is all about upgrading your home.

- Ends