Everything We Expect From Apple’s Surprise Smart Home Event Next Week

Apple is set to host a surprise smart home event next week, on Tuesday. Several products are expected to be unveiled, with a focus on Apple and Siri entering the home tech market. Apple's smart home devices will likely face competition from Amazon, Google, and other players. In recent weeks, various reports and insider claims have been gathered to predict what Apple might announce.

CNET will be present at the event to observe Apple's new offerings. The company has been rumored to be close to releasing a Siri-focused smart display hub, which would heavily rely on Siri AI. The display would be swiveling, wall-attachable, and at least several inches wide, allowing Siri to recognize different users during conversations.

The display would likely have Apple TV and Safari features integrated into it. Apple may also update its HomePod smart speaker line for the first time in years, with a new type of HomePod mini likely. Additionally, a new Apple TV model is rumored to be released, as the product line has not seen significant updates since 2022. Apple is reportedly planning to enter the home security market with tiny cameras that won't record video, avoiding cloud storage costs.

These cameras would have presence-sensing, human-recognizing technology, and AI video descriptions. Apple may also be partnering with LG for smart home devices, with rumors of an Apple-friendly thermostat and a smart lock. The thermostat is expected to have far-sight presence sensing, a humidity sensor, and temperature calibration options, while the smart lock is rumored to have a round, twist-to-unlock, light-up outdoor keypad.