Apple Stores Receive 'Do Not Open' Boxes Ahead of Smart Home Products Launch

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.

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.

The FCC appearance was a clue. Now Samsung’s first AI glasses may be weeks away.

Samsung’s first Android XR smart glasses finally have a launch window. The display-less glasses will use cameras, microphones, speakers, and Gemini while leaning on a connected Galaxy phone for heavier AI processing.

Pricing and an exact launch date are still unknown, but the glasses have already passed through the FCC. Samsung’s smart glasses only just showed up at the FCC, which was the clearest sign yet that launch day is getting close.

According to The Korea Herald, a Samsung official has confirmed that the company’s first AI glasses will launch in November, narrowing the fall window Samsung and Google previously gave for their Android XR-powered eyewear. Samsung Samsung first previewed its Intelligent Eyewear with Google at I/O in May, then gave us a closer look at Galaxy Unpacked in July.

Related Roundups: Apple TV, HomePod mini Tags: Apple Command Center, Apple Smart Home Display, Retail Buyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Don’t Buy), HomePod Mini (Don’t Buy) Related Forums: Apple TV and Home Theater, HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto Technology This article, " Apple Stores Receive ‘Do Not Open’ Boxes Ahead of Smart Home Products Launch " first appeared on com Discuss this article in our forums. Apple Stores Receive ‘Do Not Open’ Boxes Ahead of Smart Home Products Launch.