Apple Sets October 13 Welcome Home Event

Apple has announced a “Welcome Home” event for October 13, with reports pointing to a possible focus on smart-home products. The company has not confirmed what it will announce, and the event’s name and teaser do not establish a product lineup. The gathering is scheduled for 9 a.m. ET in New York. Apple described it as an Apple Experience, and reports say selected media members have been invited for hands-on access. It is not clear whether the event will also be livestreamed. The format has been described as different from a traditional keynote. Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, shared a teaser showing people stitching a colorful Apple logo alongside the words “Welcome Home” and the date. The announcement did not identify products or explain the theme. The wording has led to expectations that the company will discuss its smart-home business, but Apple has not confirmed that interpretation. The most widely anticipated device is a smart-home hub with a display, sometimes referred to in reports as “HomePad.