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Apple readies 2026 smart home push with four new devices
Apple is rumored to be preparing a new Apple TV 4K, HomePod, HomePod mini, and a 7-inch home hub for launch later in 2026.
Image: MacRumors
Apple is reportedly lining up a broader smart home refresh for 2026, with a new Apple TV 4K, a smart home hub, updated HomePod models, and possibly an Apple-designed security camera. According to MacRumors, the timing lines up with the rollout of Siri AI in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 Golden Gate, giving Apple a software foundation for more capable home devices.
The most substantial addition could be the new home hub. MacRumors says it will resemble an iPad, but with a 7-inch square display, plus either a wall mount or a speaker base option. That speaker base is described as having a hemispherical dome similar to the iMac G4. The device is also said to include a built-in camera for video calls, facial recognition, and presence detection, while running apps such as Safari, Calendar, Photos, and Home. Rumored pricing is around $350.
The next Apple TV 4K is expected to keep its current design, but gain an A17 Pro chip or better to support Apple Intelligence and Siri AI. MacRumors says it could also add more RAM and Apple’s N1 networking chip, bringing support for Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread.
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Apple is also expected to refresh both the HomePod and HomePod mini without changing their form factors. The upgrades are said to focus on faster chips, possible Siri AI support via the iPhone in a setup similar to the Apple Watch, better sound quality, and an upgraded Ultra Wideband chip. The HomePod mini could also get new colors.
Apple camera plans and launch timing
MacRumors also says Apple is developing its own security camera, though a 2026 debut is not certain and it could arrive later. The report ties that possibility to upgrades coming to HomeKit Secure Video in iOS 27, including:
- 4K video recording
- AI summaries
- stitched footage from multiple cameras to track a single event across rooms
Those new Home app features will require an Apple TV or HomePod as a hub, and Apple’s upcoming home hub would likely serve that role as well.
As for timing, MacRumors says Apple could unveil the devices at its usual September iPhone event or hold a separate October event focused on home products. No specific launch date has been confirmed.
Frontier Editor
Dan is our resident futurist, covering electric mobility, space exploration, and the smart home. He's interested in atoms just as much as bits. Whether it's a new battery chemistry, a reusable rocket, or a protocol that finally makes IoT devices talk to each other, Dan breaks down the engineering that pushes humanity forward.
via MacRumors
