According to a new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is planning to release the Home Hub as early as October, and as late as early next year. Unsurprisingly, the new Siri AI will be its main selling point. This device is essentially a HomePod-like smart speaker with a 7-inch display, designed to be a central hub for your smart home. It will allegedly run an entirely new operating system based on Apple’s tvOS, with the interface being a blend of tvOS, watchOS, and iOS.
Design and Display
The Apple Home Hub features a compact form factor, similar to the HomePod mini but with a square or rectangular 7-inch display mounted on top. The display is expected to be a touchscreen, allowing for direct interaction with apps, widgets, and controls. The device will likely come in multiple colors to match your decor, and it’s designed to be placed in common areas like the kitchen, living room, or bedroom.
Display Capabilities
The 7-inch screen will show customizable clock faces, weather updates, calendar events, and notifications. You can also use it to view photos from your iCloud library, making it a digital photo frame when idle. The display will support touch gestures, but you’ll also be able to control it via voice commands using Siri.
Operating System and Interface
The Home Hub will run a new operating system derived from tvOS, which powers the Apple TV. This OS is optimized for a display-based interface but includes elements from watchOS and iOS for widgets, notifications, and app management. The home screen will feature a grid of icons for quick access to apps like Music, Home, FaceTime, and Calendar. Widgets will show live information, such as upcoming appointments, smart home device status, and music playback controls.
Customization Options
You can personalize the Home Hub with different clock faces, themes, and widget layouts. The device will support multiple user profiles, so each family member can see their own calendar events, reminders, and music preferences when they speak to Siri.
Siri AI and Voice Control
The new Siri AI is the heart of the Home Hub experience. It will be more conversational and context-aware, allowing you to ask follow-up questions and perform complex tasks without repeating yourself. For example, you can say “Hey Siri, what’s the weather like today?” and then ask “What about tomorrow?” without needing to say “Hey Siri” again. Siri will also be able to control smart home devices from multiple brands, thanks to the Matter protocol support.
Smart Home Integration
The Home Hub will act as a smart home hub, managing all your HomeKit and Matter-compatible devices. You can create automations, scenes, and schedules directly from the device or via the Home app on your iPhone. The display will show live camera feeds from your security cameras, and you can use it to answer the doorbell via a compatible smart doorbell.
Audio and Music
Despite its small size, the Home Hub will deliver impressive audio quality, similar to the HomePod mini. It will support multi-room audio, allowing you to play music across multiple Home Hubs and HomePods in your home. You can also use it as an intercom to send voice messages to other Home Hubs or HomePods in different rooms.
FaceTime and Communication
The built-in camera will enable FaceTime video calls directly from the Home Hub. You can make calls to other Apple devices, and the device will support Continuity Camera, so you can start a call on your iPhone and hand it off to the Home Hub. The display will also show incoming calls, messages, and notifications from your iPhone.
Release Date and Pricing
Apple is expected to announce the Home Hub in October 2025, with a release shortly after. However, Gurman suggests it could slip to early 2026 if development delays occur. Pricing is rumored to be around $299, positioning it as a premium smart home device. Apple expects customers to buy multiple units for different rooms, creating a seamless smart home ecosystem.
Competition and Market Position
The Home Hub will compete with devices like the Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub. Apple’s advantage lies in its tight integration with the Apple ecosystem, including iCloud, Apple Music, and the Home app. The new Siri AI and privacy features will also be key differentiators, as Apple emphasizes on-device processing and data security.
Conclusion
The Apple Home Hub promises to be a versatile smart speaker with a display, combining powerful Siri AI, a customizable interface, and robust smart home controls. With a potential launch this year, it could become a central piece of the Apple smart home ecosystem, appealing to existing Apple users and new customers alike.
