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Two days before the event, the delivery date has apparently been announced: The new Apple TV 4K and the new HomePod mini are expected to reach the first customers on October 30th. Apple also tested two new features for the Apple TV, relating to operation without a remote and finding the remote again.
Apple will unveil new home devices on October 13th under the theme "Welcome Home". Mark Gurman reports in his October 11th Bloomberg newsletter, "Power On," when two of these will be available for purchase. According to Gurman, the new Apple TV 4K and the new HomePod mini will ship on Friday, October 30th, and be available in Apple Stores on the same day.
Gurman is considered one of the best-informed reporters regarding Apple's product and release schedules. He first mentioned the date of the event at the end of September, and Apple has since confirmed it with the invitation.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini are scheduled to ship on October 30th and will also be available in Apple Stores at the same time.
- The Apple TV 4K is said to contain an A19, the standard version of the chip, not the Pro variant.
- Apple has tested built-in microphones that allow Siri to be addressed directly at the box.
- A Siri Remote with a built-in speaker, designed to be easier to locate, was also tested. According to the report, it has not yet been decided whether both features will be included in the final device.
A19 instead of A19 Pro
The new Apple TV 4K is expected to feature the A19, the standard chip of the current generation. The previous model from 2022 uses the A15. This represents a jump of four chip generations.
This information fills a gap left by an earlier discovery. In early September, a previously unknown model identifier for the Apple TV appeared in Apple's software, suggesting the A19 generation. The code didn't specify whether it would be the standard or the Pro version. Previous reports had anticipated an A17 Pro.
Siri without a remote control
According to reports, Apple has tested microphones inside the Apple TV casing. This would allow Siri to be addressed directly, without using the button on the remote or a paired HomePod.
The microphones would fit with the preparations for Apple Intelligence on the Apple TV, which are included in the code of tvOS 27.2.
A remote control that reports back
The second new feature concerns the Siri Remote. Apple tested a version with a built-in speaker to make it easier to locate. Currently, the search function only works via the iPhone: Starting with iOS 17 and tvOS 17, the remote's Control Center displays whether the Siri Remote is nearby or far away. Apple does not describe a signal on the remote itself.
The report explicitly leaves open the question of whether the microphones and new remote control will be included in the production version. Both are described as test features, not as standard equipment.
HomePod mini and the smart home hub
The new HomePod mini is also expected to be released on October 30th. The current report provides no further details about the device itself; the existing information is summarized in the rumors surrounding the HomePod 3 and HomePod mini 2.
The brand-new smart home hub, reportedly called HomeView, is scheduled to be unveiled on October 13th, but its actual release will follow later. Gurman currently anticipates mid-November.
How much the current models cost
In the German Apple Store, the previous models currently cost:
| Model | Price in Germany |
|---|---|
| Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi, 64 GB) | 229 euros |
| Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi + Ethernet, 128GB) | 299 euros |
| HomePod mini | 139 euros |
Only the more expensive Apple TV version supports Thread and can be connected to the network via cable.
New chip, but still no German assistance
There are 17 days between the event on October 13th and delivery on October 30th. So, anyone wanting to buy an Apple TV 4K won't have to wait long – the upgrade from the A15 to the A19 is likely to be the most important reason for most buyers anyway.
There's a catch for German-speaking users when using the speakerphone. Siri AI doesn't currently support German, and it's not among the five languages added with iOS 27.2 either. Therefore, I consider the microphones to be the weaker of the two new features for now – the remote with its built-in speaker, on the other hand, works in every language.
Are you waiting to buy until Siri AI responds in German – or is the faster chip reason enough for you to buy on October 30th? Let us know your reasoning in the comments.
