# Apple's smart home leaks: What to expect in September New smart home hub, camera-equipped AirPods and Vision headset among upcoming products. - **Source:** [Latest news](https://brifing.si/source/77d15218-219f-472d-bf40-31b5646d2942) - **Published:** 2026-08-20 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/e4371030-b3e3-4134-b391-c6e3fe283290 ## What's in Apple's smart home leak? A leak detected in MacOS software revealed multiple smart home products Apple plans to launch next year. These include a new smart home hub, camera-equipped AirPods, an Apple Home device with security camera features, and a new Vision headset. The leak also indicated the products will come in color options like Space Gray and Silver. ## New HomePod mini and smart display According to the leak, Apple is working on a new HomePod mini and a 7-inch smart hub. The hub is expected to launch around October 2026 or early 2027 with a price tag of about $350. Some versions may include a speaker base. This move signals Apple's entry into competition with Google Nest Hub and Amazon Echo Show. ## AI-powered Siri integration The new Siri, expected to launch in fall 2026, will be enhanced with generative AI. This update aims to elevate Apple's smart home experience to compete with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Apple's ecosystem integration and privacy-focused approach could provide significant competitive advantages in this space. ## Pricing concerns Analysts worry Apple might overprice its smart display, similar to the Vision Pro. A $300-$500 price range could deter average consumers, especially when competing products sell for $100-$180. Apple may need to compromise on some features to gain market share in the competitive smart home market. ## Removal of iPad's smart hub capability Apple removed the ability to use iPads as smart home hubs several years ago. This feature could have been valuable combined with new OS features like Standby Mode. The company's addition of Thread radios to new MacBooks might signal upcoming smart home-focused moves in its product lineup. ## Advantages in the US market Apple holds a significant advantage in the smart home market due to iPhone's majority share among US smartphone users. Brand trust and ecosystem lock-in could facilitate user adoption. Additionally, Apple's privacy emphasis creates an important differentiation from competitors like Google and Amazon. ## Source and reliability of the leak The leak originated from hardware identifiers in Apple's MacOS Tahoe 26.7 release to developers. While Apple is typically very careful about hiding unreleased product hints, such leaks occasionally occur in software builds. However, the leak doesn't guarantee these products will definitely launch as described. ## Importance for the smart home market Apple's smart home move represents a critical step in the global smart home market, projected to exceed $280 billion in 2026. The company could simplify the fragmented smart home experience through hardware-ecosystem integration. But pricing strategy will be decisive in winning middle-class consumers. This initiative also aligns with Apple's strategy to grow services revenue. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.zdnet.com/article/apples-smart-home-leaked-product-list/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._