> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.hometenet.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Apple’s October 13 “Welcome home” event: what smart-home buyers should know - URL: https://www.hometenet.com/apple-welcome-home-event-2026/ - Published: 2026-10-09T02:45:32.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-09T03:00:37.000Z - Description: Apple’s reported October 13 “Welcome home” invitation, the smart-home rumors, and what buyers should watch for before choosing a hub, display or accessory. - Author: HomeTenet Editorial Staff - Tags: News, Apple Home Apple has scheduled an event for Tuesday, October 13, 2026, with the tagline "Welcome home." The name points at the smart home, and several outlets expect new Apple home hardware. Apple has not said what it will announce. This article separates reported invitation details from product rumors, and lists the questions we will be watching for on behalf of people who already own Apple Home devices. This is a news summary based on Apple's invitation as reported by the outlets linked below. HomeTenet has no advance information from Apple and has not seen any unannounced product. ## Event details reported from Apple’s invitation - **Date and time:** Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. ET. - **Place:** an "Apple Experience" in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York City, not Apple's California headquarters. - **Tagline:** "Welcome home." - **Products:** none named. [Tom’s Guide](https://www.tomsguide.com/home/smart-home/apple-announces-welcome-home-event-for-oct-13-homepad-and-all-the-new-products-to-expect?ref=hometenet.com), [Cult of Mac](https://www.cultofmac.com/news/apple-welcome-home-event-smart-home-products-date-rumors?ref=hometenet.com) and [The Mac Observer](https://www.macobserver.com/news/apple-announces-october-13-event-with-welcome-home-teaser/?ref=hometenet.com) reported these invitation details on October 8\. HomeTenet has checked those reports; we have not received an invitation directly from Apple. The invitation describes an in-person event. The Mac Observer notes that Apple has not confirmed a traditional keynote livestream, so do not plan around watching one until Apple says how it will share the announcements. ## What is rumored, and who is reporting it None of the following has been confirmed by Apple. Names, features and timing can all change. | Rumored product | What is reported | Reported by | | ----------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | A smart home display, commonly nicknamed “HomePad” | A display for household information, FaceTime, media and smart home control; the name and features remain unconfirmed | [Tom’s Guide](https://www.tomsguide.com/home/smart-home/apple-announces-welcome-home-event-for-oct-13-homepad-and-all-the-new-products-to-expect?ref=hometenet.com) and [The Mac Observer](https://www.macobserver.com/news/apple-announces-october-13-event-with-welcome-home-teaser/?ref=hometenet.com) | | A new HomePod mini | Updated internals and possible new colors | [The Mac Observer](https://www.macobserver.com/news/apple-announces-october-13-event-with-welcome-home-teaser/?ref=hometenet.com) | | A new Apple TV | A newer processor and upgraded connectivity | [The Mac Observer](https://www.macobserver.com/news/apple-announces-october-13-event-with-welcome-home-teaser/?ref=hometenet.com) | | Doorbell, thermostat and lock reportedly made with LG | Reported leaked images; not confirmed products or a confirmed part of this event | [Tom’s Guide](https://www.tomsguide.com/home/smart-home/apple-announces-welcome-home-event-for-oct-13-homepad-and-all-the-new-products-to-expect?ref=hometenet.com) | Several of these reports do not name their original source. Treat them as possibilities, not a product list. ## What we will be watching for These are the questions that would change advice in our existing reviews. We do not know the answers yet. **Home hubs.** Apple Home needs a home hub for remote access, sharing and automations, and to add Matter accessories. Apple currently lists HomePod, HomePod mini and Apple TV. [Apple: set up a home hub](https://support.apple.com/en-us/102557?ref=hometenet.com). If new hardware arrives, we will be checking whether a display can act as a home hub, whether new models add or change Thread support, and whether older hubs keep working as they do now. **Locks and Home Key.** Our reviews of the [Schlage Encode Plus](https://www.hometenet.com/schlage-encode-plus-smart-wifi-deadbolt-review/) and [Aqara Smart Lock U100](https://www.hometenet.com/aqara-smart-lock-u100-review/) cover Apple Home Key. We will watch for any change to which devices can hold a home key or how a home hub is involved. **Thermostats and Matter.** The [Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen)](https://www.hometenet.com/nest-learning-thermostat-4th-gen-review/) reaches Apple Home through Matter with basic controls, and the [ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium](https://www.hometenet.com/ecobee-smart-thermostat-premium-review/) supports Apple Home directly. We will watch for changes to what Matter thermostats can do in the Home app. **Displays.** If Apple announces a smart display, the practical comparison is with Alexa displays, including camera and microphone controls. Our [Echo Show 11 (2025) review](https://www.hometenet.com/amazon-echo-show-11-2025-review/) covers a larger Alexa display and hub, while our [Echo Spot (2024) review](https://www.hometenet.com/amazon-echo-spot-2024-review/) covers a camera-free bedside option. ## Should you wait to buy? It depends on what you are buying. - **An Apple home hub (HomePod, HomePod mini or Apple TV):** waiting until October 13 costs you a few days and may tell you whether newer models are coming. - **A lock, thermostat or doorbell that already works with your setup:** the rumors we have seen do not point to changes that would make current, supported accessories stop working. Buy on the product's merits and its return window. - **A smart display:** if you are undecided between ecosystems, it is reasonable to wait and compare. This is general guidance based on unconfirmed reports, not a prediction. ## What happens next We plan to update this article after the event with what Apple announced, and to add dated notes to any HomeTenet review whose guidance changes. Corrections are welcome at **[admin@hometenet.com](mailto:admin@hometenet.com)**. ## Changelog - **October 8, 2026:** Written ahead of Apple's October 13 event, based on reports of Apple's invitation and attributed rumors.