How Apple can win the smart home

<figure> <img alt="" data-caption="Apple’s second-gen HomePod. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge" data-portal-copyright="Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/10/DSC08260.webp?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0.8390625,8.6766980734074,93.97109375,91.323301926593" /> <figcaption> Apple’s second-gen HomePod. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge </figcaption> </figure> <p class="has-drop-cap wp-block-paragraph">This week, Apple is hosting its first-ever dedicated smart home event. While the company hasn't shared details about what it will reveal at the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/1009317/apple-what-to-expect-welcome-home">"Welcome Home experience" in New York City</a> on Tuesday, October 13th, it doesn't take an army of internet sleuths to deduce we'll get news about Apple Home - specifically, new hardware. Apple finally seems to be taking the smart home seriously.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-10-11/apple-smart-home-launch-oct-13-plans-homeview-has-mid-november-release">According to Bloomberg</a>, Apple will release a smart home display alongside a refreshed HomePod Mini and Apple TV. The display, which <a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/1009115/apple-may-have-filed-to-trademark-the-word-homeview">MacRumors reports</a> may be called HomeView, is arguably Apple's first dedicated Apple Home hardware since it launched the <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2014-06-03-apple-connected-homekit.html">HomeKit …</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/1009324/how-apple-can-win-the-smart-home">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>