UNOFFICIAL
🏠 Leaks & Rumors · Reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman
Forget iPhones for a moment — Apple is quietly rearranging its retail stores to make room for a completely new product category. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is reworking the accessory display walls inside its stores to prepare for a long-rumored smart home hub with a screen, alongside a refreshed Apple TV and HomePod mini.
Introduction
While most of the attention this fall is on the iPhone 18 Pro and Apple's first foldable, a smaller but telling story has emerged from inside Apple's own retail operation. In his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that teams responsible for Apple Store layouts are preparing changes to the "Avenues" — the perimeter walls in Apple's newer stores where HomePod, Apple TV, AirPods and Beats are displayed alongside third-party accessories.
Gurman says the scale of these changes points to something bigger than routine merchandising — it suggests Apple is preparing physical retail space for its long-awaited smart home hub with a display, informally referred to as "HomePod with Display" or "HomePad."
Quick Highlights Leaked
What's Changing Inside Apple Stores
🧱 The "Avenues"
- The perimeter walls in Apple's newer store designs, where accessories are displayed alongside third-party products.
- Currently home to HomePod, Apple TV, AirPods and Beats displays.
🔧 What's being done
- Rearranging sections of the Avenues.
- Adding new accessory bays specifically for upcoming devices.
- Apple reportedly needs a dedicated space where customers can physically see how the new hub works and fits into a home setup.
None of this has been confirmed by Apple directly — it's based on Gurman's reporting of internal retail planning.
Meet the Home Hub
Display & Design
The rumored device is expected to feature a 7-inch square display, sold with the option of either a tabletop base or a wall mount — positioning it as a genuine smart display competitor rather than a repackaged HomePod.
Software
Rather than running a stripped-down version of iOS, the Home Hub is said to run an all-new operating system built around tvOS, with Siri AI powering the experience. Code strings discovered in a recent macOS Tahoe 26.7 beta suggest the home screen will include a Widget Gallery, similar in concept to the iPhone's Lock Screen customization — with the same kind of icon, widget and clock face options, and widgets from a linked iPhone suggested automatically.
Timing
Gurman has previously reported the Home Hub could arrive as soon as October 2026, with a window stretching into early 2027 if development slips. Apple hasn't confirmed a date.
New Apple TV & HomePod mini
| Device | What's Rumored to Change |
|---|---|
| Apple TV | Faster chip for Siri AI (A17 Pro or better rumored); no major design changes |
| HomePod mini | New S9-series chip, improved sound, a rumored red finish; current model is over 2,000 days old |
Gurman reported both devices as "nearly ready" back in July 2026, well ahead of this retail-prep story — suggesting they could launch before or alongside the Home Hub itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Apple's rumored Home Hub?
It's a long-rumored smart home device with a 7-inch square display, sold with a tabletop base or wall mount option, running a new tvOS-based operating system powered by Siri AI. It's sometimes referred to as "HomePod with Display" or "HomePad." Apple hasn't officially confirmed the product.
When will the Apple Home Hub launch?
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has reported a window between October 2026 and early 2027. The recent Apple Store retail reorganization is seen as supporting evidence that a launch is approaching, but no exact date is confirmed.
Is Apple also releasing a new Apple TV and HomePod mini?
Yes, both are rumored. The new Apple TV is expected to get a faster chip for Siri AI without a major design change, while the HomePod mini is rumored to get a new S9-series chip, improved sound, and possibly a red color option.
Why are Apple Store changes considered evidence of a new product?
According to Gurman, the scale of the changes to Apple's in-store accessory display areas — new bays and reorganized sections — goes beyond routine merchandising, suggesting Apple needs dedicated retail space to demonstrate a new type of device to customers.
