Apple to Reconfigure Store Perimeter Walls for Upcoming Home Devices

Apple is set to adjust the "Avenues"—the perimeter walls used for accessory displays—in its newer retail stores later this year, according to Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman. The redesign will create space for upcoming home-focused products, such as an upgraded Apple TV, a refreshed HomePod mini and a new smart home hub featuring a built-in display.

Gurman said the changes will involve rearranging existing sections of the Avenues and adding new accessory bays for the forthcoming devices. The upgraded Apple TV is expected to incorporate a faster processor, while the HomePod mini may receive a new chip, enhanced sound and a red color option.

The most significant alteration appears to be preparation for a smart home hub that would include a 7-inch square screen, offered with either a tabletop base or a wall-mount. The device is projected to run a new operating system derived from tvOS and to rely on Siri-based artificial intelligence. Recent code discovered in a macOS beta suggests the hub’s interface will support customizable widgets and clock faces similar to those on iPhone lock screens.

Apple will allocate dedicated retail space to demonstrate the hub’s functionality and its integration with other home products, Gurman reported.