Apple's first smart home hub finally has a name. According to Mark Gurman's latest Power On newsletter, the device Apple will unveil at its "Welcome home" event this Tuesday, October 13, will be called the HomeView — and it won't arrive the moment the event wraps. Gurman reports the hub will ship around mid-November, a couple of weeks after the new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini models, which hit shelves on October 30.
The name surfaced in a trademark filing from a shell company spotted late last week, and Gurman says it's now confirmed. "View" isn't accidental: the device is built to be seen as much as heard. It's a display you talk to — primarily voice-driven with Siri AI at its center, but with a touchscreen for when you want to tap. The screen is reportedly around six inches, square, and the interface elements even resize themselves as you walk toward or away from it. Multi-user support is expected, making it a family fixture for the kitchen, bedroom, or living room.
Under the hood, an A18 chip runs the show, with enough horsepower for Apple Intelligence. The design is said to echo the beloved iMac G4 — a floating display perched on a speaker base — and Gurman says it will sound better than the new HomePod mini. Two versions are planned: a countertop model with a metal speaker base in space gray, silver, starlight, or pink, and a wall-mounted version with a flat, square base limited to space gray and silver.
Software-wise, expect a tight roster of Apple apps — Calendar, Camera, Music, Podcasts, News, Reminders, Notes, and a new Siri app with conversation history — but no dedicated App Store at launch. Third-party app widgets might project over from a nearby iPhone. A fresh operating system, possibly dubbed homeOS, will bring clock faces, widgets, and the works.
This isn't just a device launch; it's Apple planting its flag in the smart home. The company has reportedly partnered with appliance makers like LG to co-develop a range of accessories — smart thermostats, door locks, and doorbells — built to play well together. After years of Apple fans begging for a true smart display to rival the Echo Show and Nest Hub, HomeView looks like the answer. Mid-November can't come fast enough.