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Apple to Debut HomePad, HomePod Mini 2 October 13

By Drooid · Oct 9, 2026, 7:05 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Apple Unveils HomePad

Apple will hold a “Welcome Home” event in New York on October 13, 2026 to debut products.
Greg Joswiak announced HomePad hub will have a ~6-inch display and FaceTime.
HomePad will play music, control smart-home devices, and recognize family members.
Apple will launch HomePod mini 2 with a faster Siri AI chip in pink and green.
Apple is co-developing smart locks, video doorbells, and cameras with LG, which will sell them LG branding.

Summary

Apple Targets SmartHome

Apple positions its HomePad as a late-entry challenger to Amazon Alexa and Google Gemini ecosystems.
CEO John Ternus accelerates product launches to unify Apple’s hardware portfolio.
Apple’s cryptic X post shows a needlepoint logo, hinting at nostalgic marketing.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman compares the HomePad’s design to the iconic iMac G4, suggesting retro appeal.
Analysts say the “Welcome Home” branding aims to reinforce Apple’s ecosystem narrative in smart-home competition.

History

Historical Context

Apple first entered the smart-speaker market with HomePod in Feb 2018, selling about 600,000 units in its first quarter and capturing 6% of the market. The “Welcome Home” film by Spike Jonze promoted that launch. Building on the 2023 second-gen HomePod, Apple’s 2026 HomePad and HomePod mini 2 push a unified hardware strategy under senior VP John Ternus.

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Apple Unveils HomePad

Apple will hold a “Welcome Home” event in New York on October 13, 2026 to debut products.
Greg Joswiak announced HomePad hub will have a ~6-inch display and FaceTime.
HomePad will play music, control smart-home devices, and recognize family members.
Apple will launch HomePod mini 2 with a faster Siri AI chip in pink and green.
Apple is co-developing smart locks, video doorbells, and cameras with LG, which will sell them LG branding.

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