Apfelpatient Weekly #26: Apple's October takes shape
October 13 takes shape: HomePad date, boxes under embargo, a billion-dollar Taptic Engine verdict and a crackling iPhone 18 Pro.
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Apple Home
Apple Home is Apple's smart home platform and brings the control of compatible devices together under a single app. Launched in 2014 with HomeKit, Apple Home has evolved over the years into an open platform that today also supports the cross-vendor Matter standard and Thread. Through the Home app on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Vision Pro, users can control lights, plugs, thermostats, locks, blinds, cameras, sensors and entire scenes – via tap, automation or voice command through Siri. HomePod, HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K serve as central hubs, while HomeKit Secure Video stores camera footage end-to-end encrypted in iCloud.
On apfelpatient.de, this tag offers ongoing coverage of Apple's smart home world: new features in the Home app and HomeKit, Matter and Thread updates, reviews and hands-on reports on compatible accessories, background on Apple's smart home strategy, personnel decisions within the responsible team, and all rumors and reports on upcoming smart home hardware from Cupertino – from new speakers through smart displays to cameras and sensors.
Anyone wanting to integrate their home consistently into the Apple ecosystem and not miss any important platform development will find the right topic hub here.
Apple HomePad: Leak reveals four possible colors
Silver, Space Gray, Polaris, Rose Pink: A leak reveals four colors for Apple's HomePad – and the software adapts...
Apple Store: Boxes with a blackout period until October 8th have arrived
Sealed boxes in Apple Stores may not be opened until October 8th – a hint at how Apple is handling the new...
Apple HomePad: All the rumors at a glance
Apple HomePad: Codename, design, person recognition without Face ID, iPhone as a requirement, price and the expected launch on October 13th.
Apple HomePad: Leak shows photo view similar to the iPhone Duo
First screenshots of the Hub software: Apple's HomePad is expected to use the same photo view as the iPhone Duo – with iCloud photos being mandatory.
Apple event on October 13: What speaks in favor of a keynote
Will Apple unveil the HomePad, HomePod mini, and Apple TV 4K in a keynote on October 13th? What did previous October launches reveal about...?.
Apple HomePad, HomePod mini, Apple TV 4K: Launch on October 13th
Apple is expected to unveil the HomePad, HomePod mini, and Apple TV 4K on October 13th. Design, features, and what's available in this country...
Apple TV 4K: Apple Support hints at a new model
Apple limits Hi-Res Lossless support to the third-generation Apple TV 4K "or newer" - a newer model...
HomePod mini 2 and Apple TV 4K: Apple code reveals the devices
HomePod mini 2 and Apple TV 4K (4th generation): Apple's code reveals five colors, the familiar design, and what...
tvOS 27.2 Beta 2: Apple TV 4K plays content via four HomePods
In tvOS 27.2 Beta 2, the Apple TV 4K can connect four HomePods to a surround sound system for the first time. However, audio is only available at the front and rear...