According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, as reported by The Verge, Apple plans to announce its long-rumored smart home hub, reportedly called HomePad, on October 13th. The device will be the centerpiece of a trio of announcements that also includes a new HomePod mini and an upgraded Apple TV, all showcasing Siri AI.
The HomePad will have a 6-inch display that can be mounted on a wall or placed on a countertop, with a body about as thick as an iPhone and bezels similar to older iPads. Its design reportedly resembles the iMac G4, with a round metal base housing speakers and microphones and a metal arm supporting the tilting display. A wall-mounted version will have a thinner base. The device uses USB-C power and has no battery, and comes in Apple's standard gray aluminum finish.
The hub's operating system is built around Siri AI and leans into iPad-like apps; for example, Messages will have a two-panel layout. It will support controlling smart devices, video calls, music playback, photo slideshows, and intercom-style calls, with voice and facial recognition to identify users. The report is based on Gurman's information, so details could change before the announcement.