Apple Stores refresh aims to push a big smart home revamp

Visitors to Apple’s retail outlets this fall can expect to see more smart home products on display, as Apple Stores prepare to push updates such as a new HomePod mini or even the fabled Home Hub.

Rumors have consistently pointed towards Apple making changes to its smart home lineup, and it seems to be finally arriving this fall. It now appears that Apple is also preparing a retail push for the new hardware.

In Sunday’s “Power On” newsletter for Bloomberg, Mark Gurman writes that teams who work on retail store layouts are making space to put new products on show.

These changes affect Avenues, referring to the walls at the edge of the store. They are used to promote accessories and devices that aren’t the big-ticket iPhone, iPad, and Mac lines.

Big changes are on the way for this fall’s launches, with Avenues being rearranged and added to, so that all of Apple’s new items are on display.

While this is not unexpected for Apple considering the launches, the sheer size of the effort apparently indicates something new is being added. That is, a new item alongside an updated HomePod mini and a new Apple TV set-top box.

It is reckoned by Gurman that the changes will be to make space for the Home Hub. To Gurman, the changes are too extensive to be just updates for existing products.

As the Home Hub will be a whole new type of device, serving as a central port of call for a smart home network, Apple has to create a new Avenue section for it. There are expectations for there to be a dedicated space to show how the Home Hub works, including its interface, and how it fits into the home ecosystem.

Smart home changes

When it comes to what is expected this fall, the HomePod mini is expected to be more a spec-bump update, meaning improved processing. That chiefly means support for Siri AI, as well as possible upgrades to Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, too.

The Apple TV 4K refresh is also anticipated to be an internal bump-up rather than external. An upgrade of chip to something like the A17 Pro or newer will allow it to work with Siri AI, too.

There’s also an Apple-derived leak for a new Siri Remote, though what will change is unknown.

The aforementioned Home Hub is believed to take two forms. One will be a display on a half-dome base, while the other will attach to wall mounts and plinths magnetically.

The seven-inch square screen will handle many smart home functions, including controlling other devices on the network, according to rumors. The screen will also show users information, such as notes, calendars and itineraries, and also act as a picture frame.

It will also act as an intercom system, a way to view security camera footage, and handle smart locks. A built-in camera will also mean it could be used for FaceTime calls.