Apple has just announced a bunch of new upgrades and devices, quietly (by their standards). Titled the “Welcome Home” launch aptly, it debuted a bunch of home accessories. It is kind of surprising that there was no keynote address or even a small marketing campaign around it, given Apple’s penchant for theatrics before every launch.
Are they trying to avoid the inevitable trolling that comes with every launch? Or are these products so meh that they’re not even worth a little hype? Whatever the reason, they are here now, and it looks like Apple is trying to push its way into your homes and the smart home market.
Let’s get into it.
HomeView, Apple’s new smart home hub
The biggest announcement is arguably Apple HomeView, a ₹39,900 smart display designed to bring entertainment, communication, and home automation together in one place.
It features a 7-inch Liquid Retina display attached to a speaker base, and can sit on your kitchen counter or be mounted on a wall. You can make FaceTime calls, play music, access apps and widgets, and control compatible smart home devices, from lights and thermostats to door locks and cameras.
It also has the capacity to recognise up to six people, giving each household member a personalised experience. Furthermore, the device has been integrated with Apple’s upgraded Siri AI, which promises more conversational responses and better contextual understanding.
Essentially, it’s Apple’s answer to the smart displays we’ve seen from Amazon and Google in recent times.
The HomePod mini gets an upgrade
Next up is the HomePod mini 2, Apple’s refreshed smart speaker. Priced at ₹18,900 , it gets a faster chip, new colour options, and support for the new Siri AI experience.
It’s a pretty modest update to be honest, but it makes sense as part of Apple’s broader strategy to bring its revamped AI assistant everywhere.
Keep in mind that when the smart speaker officially launches and hits store shelves on Friday, October 30, 2026, it will only support standard Siri voice commands and the Siri AI feature will come later as part of an update.
If you already own a HomePod mini, there’s a fair question to ask: are these upgrades enough to make you want to switch?
Apple TV 4K gets smarter
Apple has also introduced its fourth-generation Apple TV 4K, also priced at ₹39,900.
The design gets no updates whatsoever and continues to be a lifeless looking black block. The only updates are inside the box. Looks like Apple is turning into a believer of the True beauty lies on the inside adage.
The inside updates include an A19 chip, built-in microphones for hands-free Siri access, Wi-Fi 7, and an upgraded Siri Remote with Find My support. It can also work with multiple HomePod speakers for a more immersive home entertainment setup.
New Partnerships for Apple Home Collection
Apple is also expanding into smart home hardware with its Apple Home Collection, developed in partnership with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric. The lineup includes smart security cameras, thermostats, and a door lock, bringing more everyday home functions into Apple’s connected ecosystem.
The Apple Home Collection devices, however, won’t be available straight away; they will begin arriving sometime in January and some until early 2027.
There’s a clear strategy here: Apple wants to become a bigger part of your home, not just your pocket. With Siri AI becoming central to these products, it appears that the company is betting on smarter, more personalised home experiences being the next big thing.
But none of these announcements feels particularly revolutionary on its own. Much of the hardware builds on ideas competitors have offered for years. For Indian consumers, there’s another catch: the price tag.
Firstly, they are Apple products, so by default they are costlier than the other stuff in the market. To make matters worse, they are priced more in India than in the USA and by a hefty margin at that: roughly ₹4,000 for the speakers to ₹10,000 for Apple TV and HomeView. Apple has not provided any reason for the hike whatsoever, and if this is about the chip shortage excuse they keep giving—shouldn’t it be affecting the whole world and not just India? So far, they seem to be getting away with it. And if the fandom has no issues with it, who am I to judge!
So, Apple fans, are you welcoming these products home, or leaving them on the doorstep—until there’s a sale? Let us know!
