Apple Taps into Smart-Home Market with New Hub and Ecosystem Updates

Apple is finally making its push into the smart-home market on October 13 with a new hub code-named J490. This move comes as the company seeks to expand its presence in the sector while remaining anchored by its core iPhone business.

The new home hub will be similar to Amazon's Echo and Google Home devices, taking the form of a roughly 6-inch square display that can be mounted on a wall or placed on a countertop. It will recognize individual household members and provide personalized content and responses based on their data and accounts.

Apple is also updating its HomePod mini and Apple TV set-top box with faster processors to support Siri's more powerful AI models. The company has been revamping its AI capabilities, including a long-delayed overhaul of Siri unveiled in June.