Apple's long-awaited home hub device, often called 'Home Pad,' is now expected to launch in October. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported yesterday that Apple's rumored AI-driven home hub with a screen "is finally set to be introduced as early as next month." The device expands Apple's home lineup beyond Apple TV and HomePod.

Gurman says to expect a new operating system built around Siri AI that "looks like a mashup of iOS, tvOS and watchOS." The display has its own home screen, widgets and clock faces. The roughly square screen comes in versions that either sit on a stand or attach to a wall, similar to an Amazon Echo Show but with a smaller screen.

It brings together connected-device controls, video calls, intercom capabilities and media, while giving access to Apple services and apps. It syncs with an iPhone for setup and other tasks. Siri is "the killer feature," letting users look up information across devices, play a podcast or song, find an image, or carry out tasks in apps like Notes, Reminders and Calendar.

The HomePad is expected to launch alongside new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini devices in October, all with Siri AI as a major focus.