Release Date,
Price & What We Know
Updated October 2, 2026
Last updated: October 2, 2026. Apple has not announced this product. Everything below is labelled reported (from press coverage of Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and other sources) or confirmed (said by Apple). Right now, almost nothing is confirmed.
The Short Answer
Apple’s first smart home display is reportedly set to be unveiled on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, alongside a refreshed HomePod mini and a new Apple TV. It is widely nicknamed “HomePad” and goes by the codename J490, but Apple has not confirmed a name, a price or a ship date.
When Is the Apple Home Hub Coming Out?
According to MacRumors’ summary of Bloomberg’s latest report, Apple plans to introduce the display, the HomePod mini and the Apple TV on October 13. The products are said to be built around the new Siri, which is the reason for the long wait.
That wait has been long. Earlier reports pointed to 2024, then spring 2025, then spring 2026, before the hub slipped to the fall because Siri was not ready. We covered an earlier slip in Smart Home Weekly #58.
One caution: a reveal date is not a shipping date. Apple often announces a product and puts it on sale days or weeks later, so treat October 13 as the day we learn more, not the day you can buy one.
What Is the Apple Home Hub?
It is expected to be a small square touchscreen for the kitchen counter or a wall, built around Siri and the Apple Home app. Think of it as Apple’s answer to the Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub, which have a significant head start in this category.
It also helps to know what “home hub” means in Apple’s world today. A home hub is the always-on device in your house that keeps HomeKit automations running and lets you control things when you are away. At the moment that job is done by an Apple TV, a HomePod or a HomePod mini (and an iPad in some setups). Our guide to HomeKit smart hubs explains how that works. The new device would be the first Apple hub with a screen built for the home.
Apple Home Hub Features: What Is Reported So Far
None of the following is confirmed by Apple. Sources also disagree on some details, so this table shows how confident the reports are.
Two related products are also reported. Apple is said to be working on a privacy-focused home security camera and sensor that detects which room a person is in without recording video, and a larger HomePod update is expected at a later date.
How Much Will the Apple Home Hub Cost?
None of the reports we reviewed include a price, so we are not going to guess one. If you see a specific figure quoted today, treat it as speculation until Apple announces it on stage.
Will It Work With Your Existing HomeKit and Matter Devices?
Apple has not said. Apple Home already supports Matter, and current hubs such as the HomePod mini and recent Apple TV 4K models already do the hub job, so there is no sign that you will need to replace anything. But that is an absence of information, not a promise. Wait for Apple’s specifications before you plan an installation around it.
If you are new to the platform, start with Apple HomeKit and the Home app explained or our walkthrough on setting up an Apple HomeKit smart home.
Should You Wait for the Apple Home Hub or Buy Now?
If you already use Apple Home and simply need a hub, a current Apple TV or HomePod mini will do the job today. The reports say refreshed versions of both arrive on the same day, so if you were about to buy one of those, waiting until October 13 costs you very little. If you want a screen, there is no Apple option yet, and the October 13 reveal will tell you whether it is worth waiting for.
What the Apple Home Hub Means for Smart Home Installers
Expect questions from clients as soon as the announcement lands. A few things worth doing now:
- Find out which Apple hub each Apple Home client has today, and whether it is wired or on Wi-Fi.
- Avoid promising compatibility or Thread behaviour until Apple publishes details.
- Do not spec the new display into a proposal until it ships and you have seen how it behaves on a real network.
- Tell clients plainly that this is a new product and early software is rarely perfect.
We will cover the professional angle in more depth once the product is official.
Apple Home Hub FAQ
Is the Apple home hub official?
No. As of October 2, 2026, Apple has not announced or confirmed it. Everything is based on reporting from Bloomberg and other outlets.
What will the Apple home hub be called?
Unknown. “HomePad” is a nickname used by the press, and J490 is the reported codename.
When can you buy it?
Unknown. The reveal is reportedly October 13, but availability may come later.
Does it need an iPhone?
Reportedly yes, for setup and for some connected features.
Will it have a camera?
Reports describe a camera used for face recognition and user profiles. Apple has not confirmed this.
Sources and Updates
We will update this page when Apple makes its announcement. Sources used for this version: MacRumors, October 13 smart home products; Forbes, HomePad set to launch October 13; Gadget Review, October 13 reveal; MacRumors, display coming in October; and the original Bloomberg report.
Update log: October 2, 2026, first version published ahead of the reported October 13 reveal.
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