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A new Apple TV, a redesigned HomePod mini, and the long-awaited smart home hub are reportedly ready for launch. The first two devices are expected this fall. The third will feature a function never before seen from Apple.
Bloomberg reports that three Apple smart home products are nearing launch. Apple TV and HomePod mini are expected to be released this fall, while the smart home hub is slated for release between October and early next year. The Apple TV's delay had been anticipated for some time, as its launch was initially contingent on the completion of the new assistant. This connection now appears to be resolved: all three devices are reportedly designed to run Siri AI, which is expected to launch in September alongside the new operating systems.
Apple TV and HomePod mini: familiar design, new processing power
Externally, both devices are expected to resemble their current versions. The difference lies internally, where faster chips are intended to meet the demands of Siri AI. The gap to their predecessors is considerable: The current Apple TV 4K uses the A15 Bionic chip from the iPhone 13 series and was introduced in October 2022, while the HomePod mini uses the S5 chip from the Apple Watch Series 5 and dates back to October 2020. This would mean a gap of four and six years, respectively, between the generations.
Previous reports mentioned the A17 Pro – the oldest chip supporting Apple Intelligence – for the Apple TV, as well as Apple's N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. The HomePod mini was recently rumored to have an S9 or newer chip, along with improved sound, a more recent ultra-wideband chip, and a red color option. A redesigned Siri Remote might accompany the Apple TV. The collection of previous reports illustrates just how much expectations for both speaker generations have diverged.
In terms of price, both devices have already made the leap, even before their successors are here: In the US, the Apple TV has cost $199 instead of $129 since June, and the HomePod mini $129 instead of $99.
The smart home hub comes in two designs
The third device is more interesting. According to the report, two versions of the smart home hub are currently under development: one places the display on a hemispherical base, the other is designed for wall mounting using a new magnetic system.
Technically, a square seven-inch display will be used. The report describes the software as a completely new operating system based on tvOS, whose interface blends elements from tvOS and watchOS – with apps, icons, and widgets. A separate system for smart home devices has long been part of the plans. Support will include FaceTime, home security monitoring, HomeKit integration, and customizable watch faces similar to the Apple Watch.
Facial recognition is intended to control the surface
A standout feature is facial recognition. The device is designed to recognize who is looking at the display, determine the distance, and adjust the interface accordingly in real time. The size and type of information displayed would therefore change depending on who is standing in front of it – including personal calendars, notes, and other customized content.
This would be the first Apple screen to actively identify the person facing it and adjust the display accordingly. Face ID on iPhones and iPads only unlocks a device assigned to a specific person. A living room device that distinguishes between multiple household members follows a different logic – and raises questions, such as where the biometric data is processed.
Two more devices are behind them
Following the initial three products, two more are planned. These include a higher-end, robotic version of the smart home hub with a nine-inch display and an advanced indoor surveillance camera. The addition of a dedicated camera to the smart home product line has been discussed in previous reports. The report does not specify a timeframe for either product.
The open question for Europe
All three devices ready for launch are designed for Siri AI – and that's precisely where the uncertainty lies for European buyers. Apple has explicitly stated that the EU ban applies only to iOS 27 and iPadOS 27; however, the company also announced that Siri AI will be available in the EU for macOS 27 and visionOS 27. The exclusion, therefore, doesn't depend on the device category, but rather on which platforms fall under the Digital Markets Act. The specific criteria for the introduction on iPhone and iPad are extensively documented.
Whether a system based on tvOS would be affected is not determined by the device itself. The DMA does not name specific products, but rather core platform services: For Apple, these have been the App Store, iOS, and Safari since September 2023, and iPadOS since April 2024. tvOS is not on this list. The interoperability obligation under Article 6(7), on which the introduction of Siri AI depends, explicitly refers to functions controlled by iOS and iPadOS. Another operating system would only be added through a separate Commission procedure.
Apple is not entirely outside the regulatory framework. The Court of Justice of the European Union confirmed in early July that the app stores for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple TV together constitute a single, central platform service – this refers to the store itself, not the operating system of the devices. At the same time, European broadcasters are pushing for DMA (Digital Access Management) guidelines for the Apple TV streaming service. These two issues are being handled separately and say nothing about whether tvOS will ever be designated as a separate platform service.
As things stand today, there is little to suggest that the three new devices will be subject to the same restrictions in Germany and Austria as the iPhone and iPad. Switzerland is neither an EU nor an EEA member state and is not covered by the DMA. Talks between Apple and the European Commission are ongoing, but a date for a resolution has not yet been set. (Image: Shutterstock / CHENGDUO)
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