{"id":23803,"date":"2026-10-13T21:50:32","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T20:50:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/?p=23803"},"modified":"2026-10-14T17:57:33","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T16:57:33","slug":"apples-big-home-refresh-homeview-homepod-mini-2-apple-tv-4k-and-a-new-wave-of-smart-accessories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/13\/apples-big-home-refresh-homeview-homepod-mini-2-apple-tv-4k-and-a-new-wave-of-smart-accessories\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple\u2019s Big Home Refresh: HomeView, HomePod mini 2, Apple TV 4K and a New Wave of Smart Accessories"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Apple wants to make your home a whole lot smarter \u2014 and it\u2019s bringing Siri along for the ride.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Apple has spent years building an ecosystem around the iPhone, iPad and Mac. Today, it turned its attention to something a little closer to home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introducing a whole new chapter for Apple Home.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Tuesday, October 13, Apple unveiled a fresh lineup of home devices and accessories, headlined by an all-new smart display, an updated HomePod mini, a next-generation Apple TV 4K and a collection of connected home accessories developed alongside LG Electronics and Schneider Electric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The idea? Make your home smarter, more personal and easier to manage, without having to juggle a collection of different apps and accounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And with Siri AI sitting at the heart of the experience, Apple clearly has bigger ambitions for the living room, kitchen and just about every other room in the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s everything announced today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Apple HomeView: A new screen for the home<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The biggest talking point is undoubtedly Apple HomeView, an entirely new kind of Apple device designed to bring entertainment, communication and smart home controls together in one place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Featuring a 7-inch Liquid Retina display, HomeView can sit on a desk, kitchen counter or bedside table, or be mounted on a wall. It comes in silver, starlight, rose pink and space grey, with a separate wall-mounted version available in silver and space grey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this isn\u2019t simply an iPad on a stand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HomeView recognises individual household members by their faces, allowing it to switch to a personalised experience with access to content such as Messages, Calendar, Reminders and Find My. It also supports FaceTime with Centre Stage, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, Apple News and Apple TV, alongside compatible third-party apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Siri AI is the real star of the show, bringing a more conversational assistant with broader knowledge and the ability to draw on personal context when paired with a compatible Apple Intelligence-enabled device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HomeView can also act as a central point for managing connected accessories, checking compatible home cameras and triggering automations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UK pricing starts at \u00a3299<\/strong>, with pre-orders opening today and availability beginning November 13. The tabletop and wall-mounted models share the same starting price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s one significant caveat for European customers: Apple says HomeView won\u2019t be sold in the European Union while Siri AI remains unavailable there. The UK is included in the launch, however.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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HomePod mini 2: Small speaker, bigger ambitions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The HomePod mini has finally received its next-generation update, and Apple is giving its smallest smart speaker a more prominent role in the connected home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new HomePod mini 2 brings Siri AI into the mix, alongside rich 360-degree audio, a temperature and humidity sensor, Sound Recognition and smart home hub capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can also work alongside additional speakers for multi-room audio, or join a compatible Apple TV 4K setup for a more immersive home cinema experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apple is offering the HomePod mini 2 in five colours: white, pink, blue, green and midnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UK price: \u00a3149.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pre-orders are now open, with availability starting October 30.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For anyone who already has a few HomePod minis dotted around the house, the new model could make Apple\u2019s smart home ecosystem considerably more capable \u2014 particularly when paired with HomeView and the new Apple TV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Apple TV 4K: Your television gets a smarter Siri<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Apple\u2019s latest Apple TV 4K is getting a major refresh, with Siri AI, faster performance and a new approach to home cinema.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Powered by the A19 chip, the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K promises up to 50 per cent faster CPU performance and up to twice the GPU performance of its predecessor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Siri also gets a much bigger role. Rather than relying on straightforward voice commands, users can ask more conversational questions about films and television shows, explore recommendations and follow up with questions while watching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s another welcome addition: three built-in far-field microphones. That means you can talk to Siri hands-free without needing to reach for the remote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of the remote, the updated Siri Remote gains Find My support with Precision Finding and the ability to play a sound, making it easier to track down when it inevitably disappears between the sofa cushions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apple is also expanding its home cinema ambitions. With four compatible HomePod mini 2 or second-generation HomePod speakers arranged in matching pairs, the new Apple TV 4K can deliver a four-speaker surround sound setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naturally, it doubles as an Apple Home hub, too, bringing smart accessories, automations and compatible camera notifications into the living room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UK price: \u00a3299.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pre-orders are open now, with availability beginning October 30.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s a substantial increase over the previous entry-level Apple TV 4K, so the added performance and Siri capabilities will need to justify the premium for existing owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Apple Home Collection: A smarter home, from the front door in<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Apple\u2019s hardware announcements don\u2019t stop at its own devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new Apple Home Collection brings together a range of connected accessories developed with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric. The aim is to make choosing, setting up and managing smart home hardware feel more like using an Apple product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everything is managed through the Home app, with no separate manufacturer account or companion app required for the core Apple Home experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what\u2019s coming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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LG Video Doorbell Wired<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The new wired video doorbell uses two cameras to provide separate views of visitors and deliveries, with a built-in spotlight and a chime that can play through compatible HomeView and HomePod devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The front camera captures video at up to 2.5K resolution, while the lower camera provides a full HD view of packages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UK price: \u00a3229.95.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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LG Indoor Cam Plug-In<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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Designed for indoor monitoring, this camera captures video at up to 2.5K resolution and can move automatically to follow activity. It can also turn downwards into a privacy position when you return home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UK price: \u00a3179.95.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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LG Outdoor Cam Plug-In<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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For monitoring the outside of your home, LG\u2019s wired outdoor camera offers up to 2.5K video capture, with a design intended to fit into the wider Apple Home Collection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UK price: \u00a3279.95.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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LG Floodlight Cam<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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The Floodlight Cam adds adaptive dual floodlights that activate when motion is detected, alongside low-light colour night vision. It\u2019s designed to provide an extra layer of visibility around the outside of your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UK price: \u00a3349.95.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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LG Smart Deadbolt Lock<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The smart lock is one of the more intriguing additions to the lineup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It supports Apple Home Key, allowing compatible iPhones and Apple Watches to unlock the door. Ultra Wideband technology enables hands-free unlocking as you approach, while a PIN pad and hidden physical key slot provide alternative ways to get inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Users can also manage guest access through the Home app and receive alerts if the door is left open or tampered with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

US launch pricing: $349.<\/strong> Apple has not yet published a confirmed UK price for this lock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Smart Thermostats from LG and Schneider Electric<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Apple is also bringing climate control into the picture with two smart thermostats \u2014 one from LG Electronics and another from Schneider Electric \u2014 alongside standalone temperature and humidity sensors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The thermostats are designed to work with the Home app and Matter-compatible smart home systems. Adaptive Temperature can adjust settings based on whether people are home, settling down for the night or away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sensors can help monitor conditions in different rooms, giving the system more information to work with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

US launch pricing: $199 for LG\u2019s thermostat.<\/strong> UK pricing for the thermostats and standalone sensors has yet to be confirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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One ecosystem, fewer headaches<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A major part of Apple\u2019s pitch is how these accessories work together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The devices support Thread, and setup begins with a tap of a compatible iPhone. From there, users can manage them through Apple Home and Siri, without having to create separate accounts for each manufacturer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apple also says Home app data and camera footage are end-to-end encrypted, with supported camera recordings stored securely through iCloud+.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Apple Home Collection is due to begin arriving in December, with selected accessories following in early 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The accessories that bring HomeView to the wall<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Apple has also announced purpose-built mounting options for the wall-mounted HomeView.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The accessories, developed by Schneider Home, offer different ways to power the display depending on the installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Power Mount USB-C Wall Connector:<\/strong> from \u00a354.95.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Power Mount AC Wired:<\/strong> from \u00a369.95.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Power Mount PoE Wired:<\/strong> \u00a3119.95, arriving in early 2027.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    The first two can be ordered today, while the Power over Ethernet option will follow next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n\n\n\n

    So, what does it all mean for Apple Home?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Today\u2019s announcements suggest Apple is ready to take its smart home ambitions much more seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    HomeView gives the ecosystem a dedicated screen. HomePod mini 2 brings Siri AI into more rooms. Apple TV 4K adds hands-free voice control to the television, while the new accessory collection extends Apple\u2019s reach to front doors, security cameras and heating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    More importantly, these devices are designed to work together rather than exist as isolated products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There\u2019s still the question of price. At \u00a3299, HomeView and Apple TV 4K aren\u2019t impulse purchases, and the new accessories will need to compete with a growing range of alternatives. The availability of Siri AI across different markets will matter, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But for people already invested in Apple\u2019s ecosystem, this could be one of the most significant developments for Apple Home in years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Apple has spent a long time putting its devices in our pockets and on our desks. Now it\u2019s making a much bigger play for the place where we spend our time when the working day is done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    And this time, the whole home is invited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Which of Apple\u2019s new home devices would you be most tempted to buy? Let us know in the comments.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Apple wants to make your home a whole lot smarter \u2014 and it\u2019s bringing Siri along for the ride.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2786,174,3845],"tags":[3846,3855,3854,3852,3853],"class_list":["post-23803","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-apple-blog","category-blog","category-home","tag-apple-home","tag-apple-tv-4k","tag-homepod-mini","tag-homeview","tag-smart-display"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23803","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23803"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23803\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23814,"href":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23803\/revisions\/23814"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23803"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23803"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23803"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}