Apple’s ‘Welcome Home’ release includes new smart speakers, displays, and cameras.

Apple unveiled four major announcements on Tuesday as it aims to enter the smart home industry.

Apple introduced several new products, including a smart display named Apple HomeView, an updated HomePod mini, a new Apple TV 4K, and the Apple Home Collection featuring smart security devices in collaboration with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric.

Apple’s latest smart home products rely on Siri AI, the updated version of Siri, which will be added to the home devices in the future, excluding the HomePod mini 2 at launch.

The announcements were not completely unexpected. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman had been discussing Apple’s upcoming October releases for months, with the HomePod update being the most anticipated. This marks the first new HomePod hardware in about three years since the release of the HomePod (2nd generation) in early 2023, and the first update to the HomePod mini since its initial launch in 2020.

The anticipated M6 MacBooks were not released this month, but Gurman mentioned they are planned for October. Apple is currently prioritizing the smart home sector, which has been dominated by Amazon and Google. Gurman believes that Apple needs to expand into new areas to keep up with the AI advancements.

Siri AI is the central theme in all four announcements, according to Apple. It is a new iteration of Siri based on the latest Apple Foundation Models, offering extensive global knowledge, personal context, and improved conversational abilities. While users without an Apple Intelligence-enabled device can access general knowledge and conversation features, personal requests necessitate a linked device.

Everything that was revealed during the Apple “Welcome Home” event is listed below:

Apple HomeView

Apple’s initial smart display, HomeView, features a 7-inch Liquid Retina screen connected to a domed speaker base via a stainless steel hinge, allowing for tilting. The device is designed for personalized use within households, capable of identifying up to six individuals through facial recognition, with each person having their own set of apps and widgets on the Home Screen.

Information from apps such as Messages and Calendar is only visible when the user is recognized and their iPhone or iPad is close by and unlocked. Shared photo albums and music are accessible to all, including guests.

HomeView is priced at $299 in silver, starlight, rose pink, and space gray, while the wall-mounted version in space gray and silver also costs $299 and can be attached using one of three Schneider Home mounts.

• Power Mount USB-C Wall Connector is priced at $59.95.
• Power Mount AC Wired is priced at $79.95.
• Power Mount PoE Wired is priced at $129.95 and will be available in early 2027.

Power Mount USB-C Wall Connector costs $59.95.

Power Mount AC Wired costs $79.95.

Power Mount PoE Wired is priced at $129.95 and is expected to be available in early 2027.

Pre-orders for HomeView are now available in multiple countries, with Singapore joining on Oct. 15. The product will be released on Nov. 13, but it will not be sold in the EU due to Siri AI not being accessible on iOS in that region. Apple is collaborating with the EU to find a solution.

HomePod mini 2

The new HomePod mini 2 features the same round design in pink, green, blue, white, and midnight colors, powered by the S10 chip. It utilizes computational audio to modify dynamic range and volume instantly. Additionally, four HomePod mini 2 speakers can be connected to the new Apple TV 4K for a surround sound setup, adjusting timing and levels according to the room, with matching front-and-rear pairs required.

The HomePod mini 2 can function as a Mac speaker, act as a home hub, provide support for Sound Recognition with smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and announce recognized visitors from compatible doorbells.

Apple described it as the most immersive home theater experience and positioned it as part of a connected home ecosystem with HomeView, HomePod mini 2, and Apple Home Collection. The HomePod mini 2 is available for $149 in various colors.

Pre-orders began in the U.S. and over 23 other countries and regions on Tuesday, with the product becoming available on Oct. 30.

Apple TV 4K (4th gen)

The latest Apple TV 4K integrates Siri AI into the television experience through a user-friendly interface designed for discovering shows and movies. Apple showcases features like inquiring about award-winning Apple TV shows, asking additional questions about a show during viewing, and using personalized suggestions based on messages from a linked iPhone. Responses to queries during a program are shown in a discreet overlay instead of disrupting the main screen.

The A19 chip from Apple offers improved CPU and GPU performance compared to the previous generation, along with a dedicated AV1 decoder. The Siri Remote now includes Find My with Precision Finding, and the Apple TV 4K serves as a home hub with Apple Intelligence-generated camera activity descriptions and summarized notifications in the Home app.

• Apple introduces a new HomePod mini 2 in vibrant colors without Siri AI available initially.
• Apple introduces Home Collection, a lineup of innovative smart security devices created in collaboration with LG.
• Apple has recently released the HomePod mini 2 – learn how to purchase this new smart speaker.
• Apple launches HomeView intelligent display featuring Siri AI

The box now includes built-in far-field microphones for the first time, enabling users to communicate with Siri without needing to grab the remote. Apple mentioned that echo cancellation allows Siri to be heard even during audio playback, describing it as the company’s most engaging home theater experience.

The Apple TV 4K is priced at $299, or can be paid in six monthly installments of $49.83 each. Pre-orders are now open in the U.S. and 29 other countries and regions, and it will be available starting from Nov. 13.

Apple Home Collection – Collection of Apple products for the home.

Apple Home Collection is a range of smart gadgets created in collaboration with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric. Each item can be configured with a simple tap on an iPhone and is controlled exclusively through the Home app, eliminating the need for a separate app or account. All devices are compatible with Thread and automatically update their Wi-Fi settings in case of any changes to the home network.

LG provides four cameras that can record videos up to 2.5K resolution, identify individuals, pets, cars, and packages, and save ten days of footage using iCloud+ without requiring an additional camera subscription.

• Video Doorbell Wired, priced at $249.95, features cameras facing both the front and package areas.
• Floodlight Cam is priced at $399.95.
• Outdoor Cam Plug-In is priced at $299.95.
• Indoor Cam Plug-In ($199.95): automatically points downward to avoid surveillance when a household member returns.

Video Doorbell Wired, priced at $249.95, includes cameras that face the front and the package.

Floodlight Cam is priced at $399.95.

Outdoor Cam Plug-In is priced at $299.95.

Indoor Cam Plug-In ($199.95) can physically tilt downward to cease monitoring when a household member arrives.

The cameras will be available for purchase in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

LG’s Smart Deadbolt Lock, priced at $349.95 in the U.S. and Canada, utilizes Ultra Wideband technology to automatically unlock when a user carrying a home key on an iPhone or Apple Watch comes close. It also provides tap-to-unlock, a PIN pad, and a backup key, operating locally without needing an internet connection.

LG and Schneider Electric offer smart thermostats, along with individual temperature and humidity sensors. An Adaptive Temperature function modifies heating and cooling according to occupancy. Apple did not provide pricing details for these products.

The collection will be available in December, but certain accessories may not be shipped until early 2027. In the U.S., Apple Retail will provide paid professional installation services through ADT.

Apple, Artificial Intelligence, iOS, and Siri are among the discussed topics.

Chance Townsend, the General Assignments Editor at Mashable, focuses on various topics such as technology, video games, dating apps, and digital culture. He holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from the University of North Texas and has contributed to publications like PC Mag and Mother Jones.

In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, sleeping, and is a big fan of Detroit sports. If you have any advice or wish to discuss the Lions, you can contact him on Bluesky @offbrandchance.bsky.social, via email at [email protected], or on Signal at 224-417-6628.