Apple rarely briefs the media in advance of new product announcements. But invitations to the company’s next event, confirmed for Oct. 13 at 9 a.m. ET in New York, are now out.

Crystal balls sometimes show up via X — this time via Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. Joswiak’s video shows a time-lapse of needlepointing Apple’s logo with the date on it. The “Welcome Home” theme strongly suggests that the company will unveil several new Home products next week.

Rumors point to a new Home hub with a design similar to the old iMac G4 — the one modeled after the lamp in Pixar’s iconic Luxo, Jr. short from 1986. There may also be updates to the HomePod Mini and Apple TV set-top box, with new hardware targeted at handling AI and more colors for the small speaker, including pink and green.

Lori Grunin

Senior Editor / Computers and Gaming Hardware

I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handing out buying advice for more than 25 years. See full bio