Twelve South, a well-known accessory maker for Apple products, has released a new AirFly Drive accessory that turns wired CarPlay into wireless CarPlay.
AirFly Drive uses Wi-Fi to establish a connection between your iPhone and vehicle, eliminating the need to use a USB-C cable for CarPlay.
Priced at $39.99 in the U.S., the AirFly Drive plugs into a USB data port in your vehicle. The accessory is essentially a compact aluminum cube with a USB-A port on it, with a USB-C adapter included in the box. It is designed to stay plugged in, so that you can get in your vehicle and use wireless CarPlay right away every time.
You only need to pair your iPhone with the AirFly Drive once, and then it will offer fast automatic reconnection every time the vehicle starts, with no app, account, or charging required. A button on the accessory allows for one-press switching between two paired iPhones, which is useful if two people share the same vehicle.
Similar wired-to-wireless CarPlay dongles from other brands are available on Amazon, but Twelve South is a reputable maker of accessories for Apple products. AirFly Drive is available to order now in white or black.
A front 12-megapixel Center Stage camera in the outer display
A front camera under the inner display
iPhone Duo lacks a dedicated Telephoto camera, which is a dealbreaker for some customers. The main camera does have "optical-quality 2× Telephoto" capabilities, but this pales in comparison to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro models, which can achieve up to 8× optical zoom. Still, the photos shared by Apple prove that the iPhone Duo is still very capable for photography, at least in the hands of skilled photographers.
You can pre-order the iPhone Duo starting Friday, October 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time.
In a recent interview with content creator Angelica Siciliani Fendi, Apple's vice president of hardware engineering Kate Bergeron revealed that the iPhone Duo's nano-texture cover layer above the inner display can be removed and replaced.
"It's actually replaceable, which is a really nice thing for the customer that you can peel off that layer and get a new one," said Bergeron.
In the U.S., customers who purchase AppleCare+ coverage for the iPhone Duo can get the cover layer replaced for $19, according to Apple's website. The cost to replace the cover layer without coverage has yet to be disclosed.
The cover layer helps to hide the crease in the middle of the foldable inner display. Bergeron said Apple did a "significant amount of engineering work" to ensure that this layer remains in good condition for as long as possible, but customers will have the option to replace it if it wears down or the crease becomes more visible over time.
Officially, the ability to replace the iPhone Duo's cover layer will likely be limited to Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers. It remains to be seen if customers will be able to easily remove the layer themselves.
iPhone Duo pre-orders begin on Friday, October 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time, and the device will launch in stores on Friday, October 23.
On his new Power On podcast, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple's smart home camera will have "no video recording."
Instead, he described the rumored product as a sensor that will be capable of "analyzing your environment in your home" using AI. "This is going to be the first mainstream video camera that's a home video security camera that doesn't give you any footage," he said.
Starting today, the Apple TV streaming service is offering a new selection of "bonus" movies in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and some other countries.
While competitors like Netflix offer an extensive catalog of movies from various studios, Apple TV primarily offers its own original films produced by Apple. Over the past few years, however, Apple has offered a "Great Movies Now on Apple TV" section with a limited rotation of iconic movies that subscribers can watch at no additional cost.
The selection changes each month, with the following 13 movies added in the U.S. today:
28 Days Later
American Gangster
Black Hawk Down
Blood Diamond
Fallen
Fury
Going The Distance
Good Will Hunting
Insomnia
Jurassic World
Taxi Driver
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Tropic Thunder
In the U.S., seven more movies remain available as holdovers:
A Beautiful Mind
A League of Their Own
Definitely Maybe
I Robot
Master and Commander
The Rookie
The Sixth Sense
The selection varies in other countries. For example, here are the movies available in Canada:
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models come in four distinct color options, so which should you choose?
The iPhone 18 Pro models come in Black, Silver, Glacier, and Burgundy. The aluminum and glass backs are more closely matched than on the iPhone 17 Pro, although the different materials remain somewhat visible.
You should also consider if you plan to use a case with your device and, if so, which one. The iPhone 18 Pro's large, full-width camera plateau stands out on most cases, exposing more of the device's color. Choosing a complimentary color should be your first priority.
Burgundy
Burgundy is the most distinct and expressive iPhone 18 Pro finish, and it is much darker than the iPhone 17 Pro's equivalent Cosmic Orange. It looks closer to wine or plum than a vivid red.
Burgundy is the standout shade in the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, designed to be bold and attention-grabbing. It is the most noticeable iPhone 18 Pro color, and the most likely to indicate that you have the latest generation device—there has never been an iPhone color option like it before.
Apple offers Burgundy Silicone and TechWoven cases if you want the phone and case to look closely coordinated. With a contrasting case, the large, exposed plateau becomes a prominent patch of red-purple. That is worth considering if you like to change between bright case colors: Burgundy will remain part of every combination.
A clear case shows more of the finish, although Apple's white MagSafe ring covers part of the back. Burgundy is the clearest way to distinguish this generation by color, but anyone hoping for a bright red iPhone may be disappointed.
Choose Burgundy if you want a distinctive, dark color that remains noticeable even when the phone is in a case.
Glacier
Glacier is a cool, pale blue that gives the iPhone a much softer look than Burgundy. It is much lighter than the iPhone 17 Pro's Deep Blue, yet it does not disappear into Silver; in-person, it still looks distinctly blue.
Glacier is a useful middle ground if you want gentle color with some saturation, without making it the strongest feature of the phone. The exposed camera plateau gives an opaque case a light blue accent, while a clear case reveals most of the finish. Apple's clear case has a large white MagSafe ring, however, so it does not leave the back completely unobstructed.
Apple sells blue cases in shades such as Crisp Blue and Chambray Blue, but neither is named Glacier. If you want the case and phone to match precisely, it may be best to compare them in person; otherwise, a clear or neutral case lets Glacier stand on its own.
Choose Glacier if you want an iPhone with a fresh, subtle, and light appearance.
Silver
Silver is the most classic, versatile, and timeless option, but also the most practical. The finish gives off a clean and bright look that pairs well with virtually any case or wallpaper, and it reflects light more than the other three colors, making it quite neutral.
Its aluminum has a metallic sheen that leans toward white in some lighting conditions. This year, the two rear materials are the same tone, making the new model look much more cohesive than the two-tone Silver iPhone 17 Pro.
Silver is also the most adaptable color for cases. The exposed silver plateau provides a crisp, light accent against a dark case and sits more quietly beside a pale one. The color is likely to age well since it goes well with any case and embodies Apple's most traditional colors.
It is also the only finish of the three that pairs well with Apple's own clear case. The clear case's white MagSafe ring is less of a visual interruption here than it is against Black or Burgundy. If you frequently change cases, Silver is unlikely to compete with your next choice.
Unlike Burgundy or Black, Silver minimizes the appearance of damage. When the anodized layer chips or scratches, the raw aluminum underneath is very close in tone, so imperfections blend in far better. For users who prioritize long-term durability of appearance, Silver is the most forgiving finish. It may not be as dramatic as Burgundy or as sleek as Black, but it is the safest choice for maintaining a "like-new" look over years of use.
Choose Silver if you want a classic, flexible look that mitigates the signs of damage.
Black
Black returns after the iPhone 17 Pro offered Deep Blue as its darkest option. It offers a dark, neutral look without Deep Blue's blue cast.
A black case makes the exposed camera plateau blend into the rest of the phone. A light or colorful case has the opposite effect, framing a broad dark section across the top. Apple's clear case also makes its white MagSafe ring particularly noticeable against Black, so it is less suited to an uninterrupted all-black look.
If a deep chip or scratch exposes bare aluminum, its lighter color would stand out against this finish, especially on the plateau that Apple's cases leave uncovered. Anyone using the device without a case should be prepared for more noticeable damage. If visible marks would bother you and you plan to go without a case, Silver may be a better fit.
Choose Black if you want a dark, stealthy, and professional look, but be willing to accept signs of wear and tear.
Amazon is hosting another Prime Day event this year, called Prime Big Deal Days and offering shoppers the first chance to save on holiday shopping from a major retailer. Similar to last year's fall Prime Day, it will last for two days (October 6-7) and you can already find a large selection of early deals across Amazon's storefront, covering savings on tech, clothing, video games, groceries, and much, much more.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
For our coverage, we're focusing on Apple and Apple-related discounts that can be purchased during the lead-up to this event on Amazon. As of today, this includes deals from popular accessory makers like Anker, Belkin, JBL, Jackery, and more.
As is typical for Prime Day deals, these markdowns are very time sensitive, so sales listed below may disappear fast, and new ones may appear even faster. With this in mind, we'll keep this article updated throughout the event, and keep an eye on the MacRumors front page as we'll be posting particularly great deals in separate articles as the event gets closer.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Amazon Prime Day requires you to have an Amazon Prime membership to take advantage of the discounts. Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139.00 per year, and it comes with a 30-day free trial for new subscribers.
Anker's SOLIX brand is hosting an early Prime Day sale with early bird deals, free gifts, and more. This sale is focused on Anker's high-end SOLIX portable power stations, with options that range from 1-2 days of backup to 3-5 days of backup.
For cheaper options, Amazon has notable markdowns on lower-cost SOLIX batteries, like the popular SOLIX C300 Portable Power Station with Lantern for $199.99 ($50 off). If you're shopping on Anker's website, be sure to make your purchases before October 5, when the sale ends.
Over on Jackery's website, you'll find up to 65% off a wide array of portable power stations, solar generators, add-on batteries, and more. This is another Prime Big Deal Days early access event, and is set to run through October 3.
If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
On his first-ever Power On podcast today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that he believes Apple will introduce its long-rumored 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with touch-enabled OLED displays in October or November this year.
"Apple, I believe, will introduce its first touchscreen MacBook Pro this fall, as early as October," he said. "It could slip to November, but as early as October."
Apple is testing the laptops with macOS 27.2, which is currently in beta, he added. The software update is expected to be released towards the end of October, so the touch-screen MacBook Pro models might be announced later this month.
Other rumored features beyond an OLED touch screen include Apple's existing M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, a thinner design, and a Dynamic Island instead of a notch.
A few years ago, Gurman reported that Apple was looking into the idea of cellular Macs that would be able to connect to a 5G or LTE network without relying on an iPhone's hotspot. For this reason, some Apple fans are hopeful that the touch-screen MacBook Pro models will be equipped with the company's custom-designed C1X or C2 modem.
The touch-screen models are expected to be positioned above the regular 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, which will reportedly jump to the M7 Pro and M7 Max chips next year. It is unclear if the touch-screen models will still have MacBook Pro branding, or if Apple will opt for something unique like MacBook Ultra.
Apple reportedly plans to unveil its long-rumored smart home hub on Tuesday, October 13, and a proven leaker known as "pdfu" has revealed that the device may be available in up to four finishes: Silver, Space Gray, Starlight, and Rose Pink.
MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris uncovered the same four colors within the code for the macOS 26.7 Release Candidate back in August.
On the home hub, users will be able to create a Photo Face, and the leaker said Apple's preview art for this will correspond with the color of the device.
Apple's Home device may come in four finishes: Silver, Space Gray, Starlight, and Rose Pink.
The Photo Face setup screen picks its preview art based on the hardware color the device reports.
The device's housing may also show in setup screens once device assets are available.... https://t.co/8h4iF9OEsGpic.twitter.com/oRRTijUdkO
— pdfu (@itspdfu) October 1, 2026
Earlier this week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that the home hub will come in "Apple's standard gray aluminum finish." He did not mention any other color options for the device, so we shall see if the other three colors materialize.
According to Gurman, the home hub will have a roughly 6-inch square display and will be available in tabletop and wall-mounted versions. He said the tabletop model's screen has a polished metal arm that connects to a metal, round base with perforated speaker holes, similar to the iMac G4 that Apple released back in 2002.
Award-winning camera app Halide Mark III has been updated to version 3.2, bringing dedicated support for iPhone 18 Pro by broadening user control over the device's new variable aperture camera system.
Apple's stock Camera app lets iPhone 18 Pro owners choose from a four-stop variable aperture ranging from ƒ/1.48 to ƒ/4.0, delivering around 50 percent better low-light performance and giving users more optical control over depth of field.
Halide 3.2 does away with that four-stop limitation and instead lets you select any ƒ-stop setting within the camera's full range.
There are two styles of aperture control in the app. The first is Aperture Priority mode, where you can set the ƒ-stop and the app handles the shutter speed and ISO to properly expose the shot.
The other style is Manual mode, which gives users full control over all three settings. This includes ISO settings – something that Apple's stock Camera app doesn't offer manual control over. Halide has said it is also considering adding f-stop presets in future updates, based on user feedback.
Elsewhere in this update though, Halide 3.2 adds two new film simulations, or photographic looks: Dawn and Quicksilver. Dawn features "filmic warmth in mid-tones and highlights, paired with rich yet gentle shadows and subtle complementary cool colors."
Quicksilver is described as a "high contrast and muted color" that simulates a "silver-retention alternative process." Halide's developers call it an "excellent midpoint between color and stark black-and-white."
Lastly, version 3.2 introduces a new 16:9 aspect ratio shooting mode for those who want to use a wider framing.
Apple Stores around the world are preparing to install new product presentations starting on Thursday, October 8.
Apple retail stores received confidential boxes earlier this week featuring "Do Not Open Until October 8" stickers on them. They are believed to contain new visual merchandise, which enables workers to update labels, graphics, and product layouts in stores around the release of new products. MacRumors received a tip-off about the boxes earlier this week, which it has now independently verified.
There is a possibility that the materials relate to the iPhone Duo, but it seems more likely given their confidentiality and timing that they relate to the rumored launch of Apple's smart home hub, alongside a new Apple TV 4K, and the HomePod mini 2. Yesterday, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple plans to introduce these three long-awaited new devices on Tuesday, October 13.
If Apple announces the new devices sometime in the week of Monday, October 5, Apple Stores would need to update their displays for launch on October 13. For now, the exact timing of the announcement of the trio is unclear. Gurman's report used indeterminate wording, simply saying that Apple would "push into the smart-home market on October 13." This could be either announcement or launch.
Sales of iPhone 18 Pro models in China were 12% higher in the three days after launching than sales of iPhone 17 Pro models were during their entire first week last year, according to Counterpoint Research.
The strong start helped Apple claim the top spot in the country's smartphone market for the week of September 14 to 20, handing it a 33% share. But the news could get even better for Apple's China market prospects this month: The iPhone Duo goes on sale October 23, and Chinese consumers have a much stronger appetite for foldable devices compared to the rest of the world.
Apple TV appears to be unavailable for some users, following a recent outage of Apple Services that began on September 30.
The original outage took down the App Store, Apple Fitness+, Apple Music, and several other services, but those are all now back online. Only Apple TV is still not working for an unknown number of users.
Apple's System Status page indicates an ongoing issue with Apple TV that started on September 30 at 4:43 p.m. Eastern Time. "Some users are affected," the page says, adding "Apple TV may be unavailable due to scheduled maintenance."
We'll update this article when the situation changes.
Microsoft today began disabling Exchange Web Services (EWS) by default in Exchange Online, which will cut off the protocol that Apple's Mail and Calendar apps on Mac still rely on to sync Microsoft 365 work accounts.
The cutoff has been on the cards for a fairly long time, as Microsoft stopped adding new features to EWS back in 2018, while in 2023 it announced that it would start disabling the protocol in Exchange Online from October 2026.
As Microsoft explains in the blog post linked above, organizations that have chosen to keep EWS running aren't affected for now. As for everyone else, the cutoff may not happen all at once. In a recently updated post from June, Microsoft described the change as a "phased rollout," so some Mac users could lose access sooner than others.
It's still possible for IT administrators to restore access. However, Microsoft plans to shut down EWS in Exchange Online permanently on April 1, 2027, and no extensions are currently planned.
As you'd expect, Apple is aware of the situation. In an Apple Platform Deployment support document, the company says it is "actively working with Microsoft" to move Mail, Calendar, Contacts, Notes, and Reminders apps on Mac to the newer Microsoft Graph API in a future macOS 27 update.
Except, that update hasn't arrived yet. Apple skipped macOS 27.1 betas entirely, while release notes for the macOS 27.2 betas have yet to make any mention of Graph support.
Meanwhile, affected organizations can just keep EWS running or move Mac users to a Graph-compatible client, such as Microsoft's Outlook app.
Note that the change will only affect Microsoft's cloud-hosted email server. In other words, companies that run their own Exchange servers aren't affected. Neither will iPhone and iPad be impacted, since they use Exchange ActiveSync rather than EWS.
Apple is working on a new smart home accessory that will serve as a hub for interacting with Siri AI, controlling HomeKit devices, watching videos, checking the calendar and the weather, and generally offering up useful information to everyone in the household.
This guide aggregates everything that we know about Apple's smart home hub.
Design
Apple's smart home device will somewhat resemble an iPad, and it will have a display-focused design. It is expected to be square rather than rectangular, and it will measure in at 6 inches with quarter-inch black bezels around the edges.
In terms of size, it will look similar to two iPhones that are side-by-side, and it will be about as thick as an iPhone. Apple imagines people having multiples of the hub in different rooms of the house. The device will support touch input for opening apps and controlling connected devices.
Apple is making two versions of the home hub. One will have a 6-inch display and is meant to be mounted on the wall, and the second version has the same 6-inch display and a hemispherical speaker base that looks similar to the iMac G4. The display attaches to the base with a polished metal arm that holds the small screen and allows it to be tilted forward or backward. The base features speaker hole perforations and a rubber bottom for stability.
The original iMac G4
The wall-mounted version will have a thin square base for the speakers and the mics, and it will sit flush against the wall. Both models will have a 1080p camera on the front for FaceTime calls, authenticating users, and recognizing different people in the home. Apple is planning to release the hub in a gray aluminum finish.
The device has no internal battery and is instead meant to be used while connected to power via USB-C.
Sensors
The smart home hub will be able to determine how close a person is standing to it, adjusting features from there. When no one is nearby, for example, it might show the temperature, but as someone approaches, it could shift to an interface for adjusting the thermostat.
Person detection will likely allow it to be used in smart home automations for doing things like turning on the lights when someone enters a room. The sensor will be able to tell one person from another, and it could recognize hand gestures for longer-range control.
Facial recognition
The home hub will use a Face ID-like feature along with voice for authentication and to identify who is in a room. With the recognition features, the home hub will be able to switch to the profile for the person in the home who is interacting with the device. Each user will have a customizable profile and interface with options to change profiles through the Control Center.
The camera won't be as accurate as Face ID, so voice is an alternative. Apple's HomePod also uses voice recognition for some personalized features. Users will be able to set up secondary authentication with an iPhone for more security, and a visitor mode will hide personal information.
Rumors suggest there is a Mac-style edge light around the screen to offer lighting so the device can identify people in the dark.
Chip
Apple's smart home accessory is expected to use an A18 chip or better for Apple Intelligence support. Given that Apple Intelligence requires 8GB RAM minimum, it will have at least 8GB RAM.
Operating System
Apple's home hub will run an operating system that Apple refers to as "Charismatic" internally, though it could be called homeOS when it launches. It's going to use elements from tvOS, watchOS, and iOS, and it will sync with the iPhone for setup purposes.
Interface
Apple does not plan to create a dedicated App Store for the home hub, but it will come with several apps pre-installed. The main view will be a customizable home screen with widgets that can show the weather, important home controls, photo slideshows, upcoming events, and more. A built-in camera will scan the face of each user, bringing up different apps and a Home Screen for each person.
The interface is something like a cross between watchOS and the iPhone's StandBy mode, with a heavy focus on clock faces and photo slideshows when the device is idle. The Home Screen will feature Apple Watch-like icons, but the apps will have an iPad-like design with a two-panel layout. There will be familiar customization options like pressing and holding to rearrange icons and swiping up to get to the app launcher.
There will be a Widget Gallery that suggests widgets from a linked iPhone. Widgets shown on the device from an iPhone that's connected will only display widget content when the primary user is in the home. A Smart Stack will be available to intelligently rotate through different widget options throughout the day, and the clock will be customizable with a Face Gallery.
The hub will adopt the visual aesthetic of Siri AI, with darker design elements. A software-based dock will be available for launching apps, and the hub will be built around Siri AI.
Apps
Several Apple apps will be installed even though there won't be a dedicated App Store. Apps that are rumored:
The hub will support integration into HomeKit scenes alongside other smart home products, and it will play videos, so it can be used for things like following along with a recipe when in the kitchen.
Intercom
More than one of the devices can be used throughout the home, and two or more can serve as room-to-room intercoms.
AirPlay
With its built-in speakers, the device will support music playback and it will be able to work as an AirPlay receiver.
homeOS Trademark
Apple appears to be using a shell company to trademark "homeOS" in several countries around the world, with the trademarking kicking off in October 2024. Apple has secured the homeOS trademark in Liechtenstein, and trademarks are pending in the U.S., Argentina, Peru, and more.
Future Smart Home Accessories
Apple is creating an indoor security camera that will connect to the home hub, and it's rumored for 2027. Privacy would be a focus, providing an alternative to cameras from companies like Ring and Nest.
Pricing
Apple's home hub could be priced somewhere around $350, which would make it more expensive than competing products like the Amazon Echo Show.
Launch Date
Apple's smart home hub is rumored to be debuting on October 13 alongside a new Apple TV 4K and a new HomePod mini.
Apple's rumored smart home hub will have different faces users can choose from, some of which are similar to StandBy screens planned for the iPhone Duo. Leaker pdfu shared setup screens of the Photo Face said to be for Apple's upcoming home product.
Based on the images, users can select from different photo collections, memories, or shared albums for the Photo Face, and those photos will be shown on the device's display. Photos are pulled from iCloud, so iCloud Photos needs to be turned on for it to work. Users will be prompted to set up the Photo Face when activating the device.
Pdfu says the Photo Face for the hub is the same as the Photo Face coming to the iPhone Duo, and that could explain why Apple hasn't made the iPhone Duo's StandBy mode available in the Xcode simulator yet.
This is the first visual of a home hub face we've seen. The hub is expected to have a 6-inch screen, and it will look similar to an iPad except for the square shape and the base. The hub is rumored to have an iMac G4-like half-dome metal base that connects to the display with an arm.
Prior rumors have said the home hub won't have a full App Store, but it will support apps and widgets like Calendar, Weather, Music, Messages, Reminders, and more. The device will be able to tell when someone is approaching it, and can distinguish between people in the home to show different widgets for each user. It makes sense for the hub to display a StandBy-like interface when it is not in active use.
There will be multiple idle display options to choose from, just like there are now when using the iPhone in StandBy mode. Earlier today, Bloomberg said the home hub interface is "built heavily" around clock displays and photo slideshows, so the Photo Face will likely be an integral part of the device's software.
The free Apple Invites app for the iPhone was updated today with three new features: shared albums now support full-resolution photo sharing, Image Playground now lets you create photorealistic backgrounds for invites, and guests who need to verify their email can now tap a link in their inbox instead of entering a code.
Released in February 2025, the Apple Invites app makes it easy to invite people to events, such as birthday parties and baby showers. The ability to create an event in the app requires subscribing to an iCloud+ plan with at least 50GB of storage for $0.99 per month, but anyone who receives an event link can RSVP for free on any device.
Apple's full release notes for version 1.12.0 of the app:
• Shared Albums now support full-resolution sharing, so you can relive every moment in stunning detail right in the app. Anyone, including users without an Apple device, can join and contribute.
• Image Playground now lets you create high quality backgrounds in pretty much any style, including photorealistic, so your invite captures exactly the vibe you have in mind.
• Guests who need to verify their email can now tap a link in their inbox instead of entering a code, making it even easier to get into an event.
• This update contains bug fixes and performance improvements.
Earlier this week, Daring Fireball's John Gruber floated Tuesday, October 13 as a potential date for Apple to hand out iPhone Duo review units to selected reviewers in person, and it appears that he might have been on to something.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today reported that Apple plans to unveil its all-new smart home hub, a second-generation HomePod mini, and a new Apple TV 4K model on October 13, the same date that Gruber mentioned in his speculative piece a few days ago.
In a separate post, Gruber opined that there is "no way" that Apple would unveil the home hub through an Apple Newsroom announcement only, given it is an all-new device with an all-new interface. "If this is coming, it has to be unveiled with a keynote video and some sort of media event with hands-on demos," he said.
If Gruber is right that the home hub "has to be unveiled with a keynote video," that would set the stage for an online-only Apple Event that would be streamed on Apple's website and YouTube on October 13. Afterwards, Apple would likely hold a hands-on experience for the media, allowing them to demo the products that were announced.
The same thing happened in October 2023. On October 24 that year, Apple announced that it would be holding an online-only Apple Event on October 30, which was streamed on Apple's website and YouTube. Later that day, Apple allowed selected journalists and content creators to go hands-on with the Macs unveiled during the event in person.
During the hands-on experience, selected individuals could also receive an iPhone Duo review unit in hand, allowing Apple to avoid a first-of-its-kind iPhone getting lost in the mail before it launches on Friday, October 23. Apple typically gives out review units around a week before a device launches, so the timing would line up.
In any case, mark your calendars, as it sounds like October 13 will be a big day for Apple.
If there is an October 13 event, expect Apple to announce it by next week.
Apple's first foldable iPhone, with a book-style design featuring a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner display with a minimal crease down the middle.
On his 
Sales of iPhone 18 Pro models in China were 12% higher in the three days after launching than sales of iPhone 17 Pro models were during their entire first week last year, according to 
The original iMac G4
