Apple's Reported HomePad Smart Display Launched October 13 as the $299 HomeView
Bloomberg reported a Siri-centred home display with an iMac G4 look for October 13. Apple announced it that day as HomeView, in tabletop and wall-mount versions.
Bloomberg reported on September 30 that Apple planned to launch its long-delayed smart home display on October 13. The device, called HomePad in reporting, marked Apple's push into the smart home market with a screen-based product.
<blockquote><strong>Update, October 25:</strong> Apple announced the device on October 13 as HomeView, priced at $299 (£299) in tabletop and wall-mount versions and shipping on November 13. Wall-mount power kits cost $59.95 (USB-C) or $79.95 (AC), with a $129.95 Power over Ethernet kit due in early 2027 (<a href="https://www.engadget.com/2285079/everything-apple-announced-home-view-homepod-mini-2-event/">Engadget</a>, <a href="https://www.t3.com/home-living/live/apple-welcome-home-event-live-new-homeview-homepod-mini-apple-tv-and-more">T3</a>). See our <a href="/article/apple-welcome-home-event-october-13-2026-smart-home-homepad">event coverage</a> for the full lineup.</blockquote>
What Bloomberg reported
Bloomberg said Apple "plans to make its long-delayed push into the smart-home market on Oct. 13," calling it a critical product expansion under new chief executive John Ternus. The device was reportedly codenamed J490.
According to 9to5Mac's summary, the HomePad had a 6-inch display and a design inspired by the iMac G4, with a hemispherical base and an adjustable screen, in tabletop and wall-mounted versions with a built-in speaker, so it could double as a HomePod while serving as a control panel for the home. The two-version detail matched what Apple announced.
| Detail | Bloomberg report | Apple announcement |
|---|---|---|
| Name | HomePad (codename J490) | HomeView |
| Date | October 13 | Announced October 13; ships November 13 |
| Versions | Tabletop and wall-mount | Tabletop and wall-mount |
| Price | Not reported | $299 |
A new operating system built around Siri
Reports said the device runs a new operating system combining elements of iOS, tvOS and watchOS, centred on Siri AI. The Neuron's roundup added FaceTime, voice and face recognition, photos, intercom and device control. Siri AI went live with iOS 27 as a rebuilt assistant that hands complex requests to a custom Google Gemini model, and Apple's newsroom describes it as in beta on supported iPhone, iPad, Mac and Vision Pro devices, making a home display the first shared-room product built around it.
Hardware descriptions varied before launch: 9to5Mac described a hemispherical base and adjustable screen, while The Neuron called it a square wall or counter display.
What is still unclear
The reports did not say which smart home standards the device supports beyond Apple's own ecosystem, how it works with existing HomePod speakers, or whether it will be sold outside the US and UK. Apple has said nothing about Indian availability.
What to watch next
Watch for reviews ahead of the November 13 release, especially of how the Gemini-backed Siri works in a shared room rather than in one person's hand, and for availability in more countries.
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