Apple could launch its Nest Hub rival tomorrow, alongside two more smart home products

We’ve been hearing rumors of Apple launching a slew of smart home products to finally, properly compete against Google and Amazon. Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve seen reports of the long-awaited Apple smart display, and today we’re getting even more information about Apple’s plans for its second attempt at carving out a meaningful place in the smart home market.

According to a report from Bloomberg, Apple is gearing up to launch at least three new devices on October 13. The primary focus of the online launch is expected to be the smart display, which could be called the “HomeView,” per the report. It’s likely to feature an A18 chip and come in two styles: a countertop version with a metal speaker base, and a wall-mounted version with a square base sitting between the display and the wall.

The HomeView could support only a limited set of Apple apps, and the report suggests that it won’t come with an App Store. Apple could instead be counting on third-party accessories, such as the ones LG is expected to launch, that will connect to the HomeView.

The report also states that both versions will be available in different colors. The countertop HomeView could come in Space Gray, Silver, Starlight, and Pink, while the wall-mounted version may be limited to Space Gray and Silver.

Although the HomeView is expected to be the centerpiece of Apple’s smart home aspirations, the company is also expected to launch a new HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K. According to the report, the HomePod mini might get a minor refresh with the S10 chip to power Siri AI. Apple could also launch the HomePod mini in several new colors: pink, white, green, blue, and midnight.

The Apple TV 4K, meanwhile, is expected to offer two new features. The report suggests that Apple might include six microphones in the Apple TV box itself. This would let users speak commands directly to the box instead of holding up the Siri Remote and talking into it. Additionally, the remote might come with a built-in speaker to help users locate it more easily using audio cues.

The new HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K are expected to start shipping on October 30. However, the report states that the HomeView might not be available until mid-November. There’s no word on pricing, but given recent iPhone price hikes, the new HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K could be pricier than ever, and the HomeView could also end up being an expensive affair.