Apple set to launch game-changing new hardware on October 13
Fools us once, shame on you. Fools us multiple times, shame on us. Apple is having a bumper 2026, and alongside rolling out the expected iPhone 18 lineup, we're finally getting the world's first folding iPhone thanks to the iPhone Duo.
Of course, it's not just the iPhone that the tech Goliath is known for, with everything from laptops to smartwatches being regularly churned out. Apple has had some weird and wonderful product releases over the years, like the short-lived iPod Hi-Fi and those bizarre iPhone socks (known as a Pocket).
2026 has also welcomed the Apple Watch Series 12, AirPods 5, and M6 Mac Mini, but according to one insider, a long-rumored product you might've forgotten about could also be on the way.
Apple HomePad could finally be on the way
According to Bloomberg's Marc Gurman, Apple is ready to reveal another range of products on October 13. Gurman claims Apple is making a big push into home tech, with this being a major test for new CEO John Ternus.
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Smart homes are supposedly in Apple's infamous 'next big thing' drive, but it's an area where the company has typically lagged behind the likes of Amazon's Alexa range.
There's mention of a smart-home hub that has the codename J490, which will make the most of the upgraded Siri AI assistant.
Given the delays surrounding Siri AI, it would explain why the HomePad has taken so long to make it off the production line.
It's no secret that some iPhone users remain skeptical about the uses of Siri AI and see it as little more than taking up space or draining battery, whereas something like the HomePad has a chance to really show what the Gemini-trained models can do.
If you're interested in the HomePad (or whatever it ends up being called), Gurman claims it will feature a 6-inch square display and include versions that can be placed on countertops or mounted on walls.
We can't help but think of The Simpsons' Ultrahouse 3000 from "Treehouse of Horror XII", although we hope it won't be as disastrous.
The standard HomePad is compared to 2002's iMac G4, being about as thick as an iPhone and having a black bezel similar to older iPads. Look out for rounded corners for a more aesthetically pleasing design, but note that there are no volume or power buttons, with the device needing to be plugged in at all times because it lacks a battery.
There's not much choice for this version, with just a standard aluminium gray finish.
What about the HomePod Mini and Apple TV?
The HomePad was previously discussed back in December 2024, and back then, Gurman referred to a wall-mounted device that can control other tech products in our home, including a built-in security camera/intercom and the spruced-up Siri.
There were whispers that it could be pushed from a proposed March 2025 release to later that year, but as those dates came and went, most of us forgot about the HomePad.
Elsewhere, Gurman claims the HomePod mini and Apple TV won't undergo too much of a makeover. Both are tipped to keep their current designs but will add faster processors to support Siri AI.
The HomePod mini will get something of a cosmetic makeover, getting new colorways including green and pink. That's not all, as Apple is apparently updating the larger HomePod.
An Apple spokesperson declined to comment to Bloomberg, throwing further fuel on the fire that there could be more to all of the above.
In general, Apple's home hub is planned to recognize different members of a household based on their faces or voice. You'll then be shown personalized content based on the user, with several devices being placed around your home.
It's a clever move for Apple to sell more hubs while also keeping the household and house more connected than before.
Of course, we'll need to temper our expectations until everything hopefully becomes clear on October 13.