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Apple’s long-awaited expansion into dedicated smart home hardware could begin on October 13.
Apple reportedly plans to introduce its new smart home products on October 13. The lineup may include a new smart home hub, HomePod mini, and Apple TV. The event could also reveal a much larger collection of smart home accessories developed with LG Electronics.
As of October 8, Apple has not publicly confirmed a product event on October 13. But if it happens, the biggest new product will be a smart home hub internally code-named J490
The Smart Home Hub is expected to feature a 6-inch square display and work either on a countertop or mounted to a wall. It will act as a central controller for smart home devices while also providing access to Siri and other Apple services. It could also use AI-powered features to recognize different household members and provide personalized information.
Apple has not confirmed the product’s final name. The name “HomePad” has appeared in reports and leaks, but it should not be treated as an official product name unless Apple announces it.
An updated HomePod mini and a new Apple TV are also expected as part of the October 13 announcements. Both are expected to receive newer hardware designed to support Apple’s latest Siri and smart home features.
Apple’s plans appear to go well beyond its own hub. LG Electronics is reportedly developing several accessories designed to work closely with Apple’s new smart home ecosystem. These products are expected to carry LG branding rather than Apple’s name, even though Apple is said to have been involved in their development.
The reported lineup includes:
- LG Video Doorbell Wired
- LG Smart Deadbolt Lock
- LG Smart Thermostat
- LG Temperature Sensor
- LG Indoor Cam Plug-In
- LG Outdoor Cam Plug-In
- LG Floodlight Cam
This approach would allow Apple to offer a much wider range of compatible home hardware without manufacturing and supporting every accessory itself.
However, the LG accessories are not expected to go on sale alongside Apple’s new hub on October 13. Current information suggests some or all of them could still be several months from consumer availability.
That means Apple could introduce or preview the broader smart home ecosystem first, with the LG products arriving later.
Some parts of the upcoming LG lineup have already appeared in regulatory records, providing stronger evidence that the products are in development.
FCC records identify an LG Smart Thermostat, model TMCTAW5W. The filings show support for multiple wireless technologies, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread, along with a 60GHz radio system.
The records also identify an LG Smart Deadbolt Lock, model TMCDD15. Its regulatory documents show support for NFC, Ultra Wideband, and 2.4GHz wireless communication.
Ultra Wideband could be particularly useful for proximity-based unlocking because it can determine a compatible device’s relative position more accurately than Bluetooth alone. LG and Apple have not officially confirmed how they plan to use the technology.
An LG Temperature Sensor, model TMST2A6W, has also appeared in FCC records.
The regulatory filings do not identify Apple as a partner. They confirm the existence of the LG hardware, but Apple’s involvement remains based on separate reporting about the companies’ smart home plans.
The biggest question now is how much Apple intends to reveal on October 13.
The new smart home hub, refreshed HomePod mini, and updated Apple TV are currently expected to be Apple’s main products. The LG accessories could form the next stage of the company’s smart home expansion rather than launching at the same time.
Pricing and exact availability for the new hub and LG accessories remain unclear.
Apple has spent years providing the software foundation for connected home products through the Home app, HomeKit, and Matter support. A dedicated hub, combined with locks, thermostats, cameras, sensors, and a doorbell designed around its ecosystem, would represent a much larger commitment to the smart home market.
If the October 13 plans proceed as expected, Apple could soon have a far more complete smart home platform than it offers today.
