Apple (AAPL.US) October's second press conference is here! First touchscreen Macbook and new iPad mini unveiled with M6 chip and smart home ecology

The Zhitong Finance App learned that Apple (AAPL.US) is scheduled to launch a fully innovative smart home strategy next week, and plans to hold a second press conference in October to launch its first touchscreen MacBook and the new iPad mini. According to people familiar with the matter, the product launch is scheduled to be held on or around October 27 (Tuesday). The launch event at the end of the month will also include 14-inch MacBook Pro and iMac models equipped with M6 chips.

Similar to the smart home press conference on October 13, the next press conference will include online video presentations and offline sessions for the media. This launch of the Mac and iPad will target creative professionals involved in video production, photo editing, and music production. The last time Apple held such a new product presentation event in Los Angeles was in 2024.

These new product launches are part of a record-breaking new product matrix led by CEO John Ternus (John Ternus). He took over last month to lead the tech giant into new markets and boost revenue from related services. A Cupertino, California-based Apple spokesperson declined to comment.

Apple's smart home press conference next week will launch the first smart home hub with a screen, the new HomePod Mini, and an upgraded Apple TV set-top box, all centered around the Siri AI assistant. Apple will also launch a smart home ecosystem that includes accessories from LG Electronics and Schneider Electric. Apple is seeking to reverse its decline in the smart home market and better challenge Amazon and Alphabet's Google. Amazon launched an important new tablet product line built around the Alexa+ platform this week.

The Mac and iPad press conferences will mark Apple's long-awaited entry into the field of touch computers. The new MacBook Pro, codenamed K114 and K116, will be lighter than existing models and equipped with an OLED screen. OLED, the full name of organic light-emitting diode, is a more clear display technology. These devices will also be equipped with “Smart Island,” a screen interactive interface familiar to iPhone users.

The new M6 Mac computer — codenamed J804 and J833 — will look similar to the current version; the new iPad mini — codenamed J510 — will also be equipped with an OLED screen, a video conferencing camera that moves to the horizontal edge, and a redesigned speaker system. Apple is also planning to launch several other new Macs and iPads in the first half of next year.