Apple's new smart home products debut tonight: HomeView takes the lead, Siri AI is the biggest highlight

At 21:00 Beijing time on October 13, Apple will hold a "Welcome Home" launch event, unveiling three smart home products at once.

The brand new smart home hub HomeView is the star of this launch, equipped with a touchscreen, and paired with devices such as doorbells and thermostats. In addition, Apple will also release HomePod mini 2 and a new generation Apple TV 4K, upgrading its existing product line.

A highlight of this release is the implementation of AI features. HomeView will center around an upgraded Siri, and both HomePod mini 2 and the new Apple TV 4K are expected to get processor upgrades, providing stronger hardware support for voice interaction, AI applications, and home device control. Apple aims to integrate AI capabilities into its current ecosystem, rather than just launching a few new devices.

The new smart home products are only part of Apple’s recent product offensive. Later this month, the company plans to launch a touchscreen MacBook and a new iPad mini, while the foldable iPhone Duo will begin pre-orders this Friday. However, whether this expanded product lineup can translate into sustained revenue growth remains to be seen on the market.

HomeView: Apple Expands Smart Home Product Line

HomeView is the core product of Apple's smart home strategy this time.

According to reports, the device features a roughly 6-inch square touchscreen, a thickness similar to iPhone, rounded corners, and a slim bezel. The desktop version comes with a circular metal base, built-in speakers and microphone, and the screen is supported by a metal arm—a design inspired by the classic iMac G4; the wall-mounted version is thinner but also integrates speakers and a microphone. The desktop version reportedly comes in silver, space gray, starlight, and rose pink, while the wall-mounted version offers space gray and silver.

The upgraded Siri AI will be HomeView’s main feature. It’s reported that the device will run a new operating system that blends elements of iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS, supports apps and widgets but will not have an App Store, nor support user installation of additional software. It’s powered via a USB-C port only—no battery is provided—meant for fixed use in home environments.

HomeView will also utilize facial recognition to identify family members, though its capabilities differ from traditional Face ID; the front camera also supports FaceTime video calls.

Apple is also planning to launch a special AI sensor camera as a supporting device. According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman’s podcast, the device, codenamed J450, does not record regular video but instead analyzes the home environment at ultra-low frame rates, balancing environmental awareness with privacy protection. Apple is also reportedly developing a follow-up product, codenamed J595, which will feature a mechanical arm allowing the screen to rotate and follow the user’s movements.

HomePod mini 2 & Apple TV 4K: Hardware Upgrades for AI Features

HomePod mini 2 will be the first substantial upgrade of its series since its 2020 launch.

The new model will likely maintain the spherical design and mesh shell but add new colors such as pink and green. The internal hardware is expected to be upgraded, with the chip possibly replaced from the original S5 to a newer Apple Watch processor such as the S10, in order to enhance device AI and audio processing capabilities.

In addition, reports indicate the new model will be equipped with Apple’s N1 wireless chip, supporting Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and featuring a second-generation ultra-wideband chip to improve the handoff experience between the device and iPhone.

The new generation Apple TV 4K is also expected to receive processor and memory upgrades. The current product uses the A15 Bionic chip, but the new version may use the A19, and add more memory to support Siri AI and Apple Intelligence features. The new model is also expected to feature the N1 chip, supporting Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and the Thread protocol, further strengthening its role in Apple's smart home ecosystem.

The remote may also receive updates. Reports suggest the new Siri Remote will have a built-in speaker and support Find My location, while the Apple TV 4K unit itself may add a microphone, enabling users to wake Siri without holding the remote.

On pricing, Apple has recently raised the HomePod mini’s price from $99 to $129; the current Apple TV 4K starts at $199. Prices for the new models have not been confirmed, and it remains to be seen whether hardware upgrades will bring further price increases. Reportedly, both products are set to ship on October 30, with pre-orders opening this week.

Amid High Valuations, Whether New Products Can Drive Growth Remains to Be Seen

According to Bloomberg, Apple’s revenue for this fiscal year (ending September 30) is expected to grow 15% year-on-year, but the growth rate will slow to 10% in fiscal 2027 and further to 7.8% in 2028. Bloomberg Intelligence data shows the S&P 500 Information Technology sector’s revenue growth is also expected to drop from 37% in 2026 to 29% in 2027. Amid slowing growth expectations, Apple needs to prove that new products can deliver incremental value to its existing business.

The market remains divided on the growth potential of Apple’s new products.

Peter Andersen, Chief Investment Officer at Andersen Capital Management, believes that for a company like Apple, only truly enticing new products can noticeably drive growth. He states it is still uncertain whether the upcoming products will bring significant growth changes. The smart home market already has established competitors, and consumer spending is under pressure, making it more challenging for Apple to expand into new businesses.

Lu Zhang, founder and managing partner of Fusion Fund, is more optimistic about Apple’s long-term prospects. She believes that first-generation smart home products may contribute only modestly to Apple’s overall revenue, and whether the foldable iPhone Duo will trigger a massive replacement cycle also remains to be seen.

However, she notes that after AI companies launch new models, they still need to rely on Apple’s hardware and ecosystem to reach users, giving Apple a certain distribution advantage. In her view, as long as Apple continues to deliver competitive hardware products, its high valuation remains justified.