Apple’s reported ‘HomePad’ may launch as early as October

<figure> <img alt="Top-down picture of a black HomePod Mini" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Photo by Dan Seifert / The Verge" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22025415/dseifert_201107_4281_0004.0.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">For years, we've heard rumors of a new <a href="https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/891723/apple-homepad-delay-rumor">home hub device from Apple</a>, meant to take on smart home devices like the Google Nest Hub Mini and Amazon's Echo Show. Besides "HomePod with a screen," details have been sparse. But now, a <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-07-28/new-apple-tv-4k-box-homepod-mini-and-siri-ai-smart-home-hub-are-coming">new report from <em>Bloomberg</em>'s Mark Gurman</a> sheds some light on the alleged device, as well as a potential release window.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">According to Gurman, the new smart hub will feature a 7-inch square display and a brand-new operating system based on Apple's tvOS, with "grids of icons, widgets and apps" reminiscent of iOS and even WatchOS. It will reportedly feature the revamped Siri AI at its core, along with video chat, security, …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/971790/apple-homepad-rumor-launch">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>