Apple enthusiasts are gearing up for a new line of home products, including a dedicated smart home hub.
The tech giant will host its "Welcome Home" event this week. The tech giant, as of Oct. 12, has yet to share an official start time for the event or information on new product announcements, but tech experts have predicted a few new home-centric products that could hit the market soon.
USA TODAY reached out to Apple for more information about the event.
The "Welcome Home" event comes a month after Apple announced a slew of new products, including the highly anticipated iPhone Duo, Apple's first foldable iPhone. Available starting Oct. 23, the iPhone that folds like a book starts at $1,999.
Here's what we know about Apple's "Welcome Home" event.
When is Apple's 'Welcome Home' event?
Apple's "Welcome Home" event is on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
How to watch Apple's 'Welcome Home' event
As of noon ET on Oct. 12, Apple had not shared information for how viewers at home could tune into Apple's "Welcome Home" event.
What new products will Apple unveil at its 'Welcome Home' event?
Apple does not tend to share details about new products ahead of big announcements, but tech expert Bloomberg Managing Editor Mark Gurman, has some ideas.
Renowned in the technology industry for his Apple insights, Gurman has served as Bloomberg's chief Apple correspondent since 2016. Gurman's "Welcome Home" predictions have been cited by publications including CNET, The Verge and Engadget.
Apple HomeView
In his weekend Power On newsletter and in an Instagram Reel shared on Oct. 11, Gurman said Apple will unveil its HomeView smart home hub device on Oct. 13. The device will serve as a competitor against Amazon's Echo Smart Home Hub and Google's Nest Hub.
With a roughly 6-inch square display, the HomeView will come preloaded with popular apps like Calendar, Messages, Photos, FaceTime Notes, Reminders, Music and Podcasts, according to Bloomberg. The smart home hub will also be pairable with LG Electronics, offering digital and remote control of doorbells, thermostats, indoor security cameras and other accessories connected to the hub.
Additionally, the HomeView will be able to identify different members of a household based on appearance, through a built-in camera, or voice recognition, according to Bloomberg.
In his Reel, Gurman said the countertop version of the smart home hub with a metal speaker base will be available in four colors: starlight (gold), silver, space gray and pink. The wall mounted version will be available in space gray and silver. The Homeview, Gurman said in his Reel, will launch in mid-November. A price point has yet to be shared.
Developments to Apple TV and HomePod Mini
Apple is also expected to release a new and improved Apple TV and HomePod mini, a smart speaker.
In his weekend Instagram Reel, Gurman said Apple has tested two new features for Apple TV, including a new remote control with a speaker, so the device can be located − if lost between couch cushions − with Apple's Find My app. The other feature is a built-in microphone to the Apple TV setup box, which means users can query Apple's new Siri AI without having to use the remote control's microphone, Gurman said.
The main expected change to the HomePod mini, Gurman said, is a line of new colors, which are pink, green, white, blue and midnight. The HomePod mini will also be compatible with Siri AI.
The new Apple TV and HomePod mini should, Gurman said, go on pre-order this week, available in stores by Oct. 30.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Apple set to reveal new products in 'Welcome Home' event
