Apple is reportedly preparing to unveil its long-awaited HomeView smart home display at its October 13 “Welcome Home” event, with new details emerging about the device’s design, hardware and features ahead of its expected release in November.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the new smart home hub will be called HomeView and is expected to begin shipping around mid-November, several weeks after its official announcement.

The device has been the subject of rumours for months, with earlier reports suggesting it would feature a roughly 6-inch square touchscreen display capable of controlling connected home devices, including smart locks, thermostats, lighting and speakers.

The latest information suggests HomeView will be powered by Apple’s A18 processor, the same chip found in the iPhone 16, providing the processing capabilities needed for the company’s next-generation Siri AI features.

Apple is reportedly developing two versions of HomeView, designed for different locations around the home.

The countertop model will feature a metal speaker base and is expected to be available in four colours: space grey, silver, starlight and pink.

A second version designed for wall mounting will feature a flatter square base and is reportedly being offered in space grey and silver.

Despite featuring a touchscreen, Apple is said to be positioning HomeView as a voice-controlled smart home hub rather than an alternative to the iPad.

The device will reportedly rely heavily on Siri for everyday interactions, allowing users to manage connected devices, access information and perform tasks using voice commands.

Apple is also expected to maintain tight control over the software experience. Unlike an iPad, HomeView reportedly won’t support third-party app installations through an App Store, instead offering a limited selection of Apple’s own applications.

Previous reports have suggested HomeView will be capable of recognising individual household members as they approach, automatically displaying personalised information such as calendar appointments, messages, contacts and notes.

Other rumoured capabilities include video calling, music playback and an intercom feature for communicating with people in different parts of the home.

HomeView is also expected to form part of a much broader expansion of Apple’s smart home ecosystem.

The company is reportedly working with LG on a new range of connected home products under the Apple Home Collection branding.

The proposed lineup includes smart doorbells, electronic door locks, thermostats, temperature sensors, indoor and outdoor security cameras, and floodlight cameras.

Under the reported arrangement, LG would handle manufacturing and customer support, while Apple would oversee integration with its smart home platform and wider ecosystem.

Alongside HomeView, Apple is also preparing updates to its existing home entertainment devices.

The next-generation HomePod mini is reportedly receiving an S10 processor, while the updated Apple TV 4K is expected to feature a faster A19 chip.

Both devices are tipped to become available on October 30, ahead of HomeView’s anticipated mid-November release.

If the reports prove accurate, the upcoming announcements could represent Apple’s most significant expansion into smart home hardware in years, with HomeView positioned as the central control point for its growing range of connected devices.