Apple’s hardware event slated for October 13 is expected to see launches of several new “Home” devices—but the full-size HomePod won’t be one of them. According to reporting, Apple plans to unveil a new smart home hub (dubbed “HomePad”), an updated Apple TV 4K, and a refreshed HomePod mini. However, the larger HomePod speaker will not be updated at this time.
What’s Set for October 13
The three devices expected to hit Apple’s stage include the HomePad, which appears to be a smart home hub with a design inspired by the iMac G4. Also on tap are a new Apple TV 4K and the second-generation HomePod mini. These products are reportedly ready to ship or announce during the mid-October timeframe.
Full-Size HomePod Still Waiting
Despite expectations earlier this year that a new full-size HomePod would arrive alongside the HomePod mini and Apple TV, it’s now confirmed that this larger speaker won’t be part of the October rollout. The reason ties back to Apple’s efforts to integrate its recently launched AI-powered Siri into Home hardware—apparently, the bigger HomePod isn’t ready yet to support advanced Siri AI features.
The current full-size HomePod has not seen a hardware refresh since 2023. While earlier reporting suggested a new version was in development, it was emphasized that Apple needed more time to ensure its new AI-enabled Siri and Apple Intelligence frameworks function properly on that device.
With Siri AI now officially launched and support confirmed for the HomePod mini, fans of the original HomePod will soon find themselves with the only Home product that doesn’t include the updated AI-Siri capabilities.
For now, Apple is reportedly steering clear of introducing the full-size HomePod in its next hardware wave. The company claims the model will be updated, but “eventually”—there’s no firm date yet.
This story highlights a growing challenge for smart speaker owners: balancing hardware readiness with AI feature rollout. The delay of the larger HomePod shows Apple’s caution in adding advanced AI to existing form factors. As Siri AI continues to expand across devices, the key for consumers will be timing—waiting might feel long, but getting a fully-capable device could make that wait worthwhile. Users should keep an eye on Apple’s next announcements, especially for updates on the full-size HomePod and how it might finally support the newer AI-powered features.
