Apple has issued invitations for an autumn product event centered on the tagline Welcome Home. The broadcast is expected to reveal a dedicated smart home command center alongside refreshed audio hardware. Laptops and tablets will reportedly skip the presentation in favor of a separate future event.
The centerpiece of the presentation is a home control device featuring a 6 inch square display. Reporting from Mark Gurman indicates the hardware identifies individual family members through voice matching and facial recognition to surface customized user profiles. The screen acts as a central console to manage connected home appliances and run a revamped Siri assistant.
Apple is also preparing revisions to the HomePod mini speaker and the Apple TV streaming box. Reports indicate the company developed a collection of connected home accessories in partnership with LG. This hardware includes a smart door lock, a video doorbell, a thermostat, a temperature sensor, and security cameras built for indoor and outdoor monitoring. Computing hardware such as MacBooks with touchscreens and refreshed iPad models remain scheduled for a later announcement.
