Apple HomeView Smart Display

What is new

The Apple HomeView is a new smart display device that has been launched by Apple. It is a multipurpose screen that can be used for various tasks such as taking video calls, displaying photos, and providing information at a glance with Apple’s Siri AI voice assistant. The device has a 7-inch square screen and is available in four colors: silver, starlight, rose pink, and space gray.

The HomeView is the centerpiece of Apple’s new push into the home and is designed to work with other Apple Home devices such as cameras, thermostats, and door locks. It can orchestrate these devices and other Matter smart home devices, making it a smart home hub. The device also features a Liquid Retina display with True Tone support and ambient light adjustment, and it can go up to a bright 500 nits and down to a super-low 0.3 nits.

Why it matters

The launch of the Apple HomeView is significant because it marks Apple’s most serious bet on the smart home to date. Apple has been trying to get into the smart home market for some time, but its previous efforts, such as its HomeKit software framework and HomePod smart speaker, have not gained much traction. The HomeView is designed to change this by providing a central hub for controlling smart home devices and making it easier for users to manage their homes.

The HomeView also matters because it is a new type of device that combines the functionality of a smart speaker with the capabilities of a tablet. This makes it a unique product that can be used in various ways, such as controlling smart home devices, watching videos, and browsing the internet. The device’s ability to display information at a glance and provide personalized recommendations also makes it a useful tool for managing daily life.

What you can do with it

The Apple HomeView can be used for various tasks such as taking video calls, displaying photos, and providing information at a glance. It can also be used to control smart home devices, such as lights, thermostats, and security cameras. The device features a modular face that can be customized to show widgets from various apps, such as the user’s to-do list, world clock, and podcasts.

The HomeView can also be used to display recipes, keep users in the picture on FaceTime video calls, and show live feeds and footage from HomeKit Secure Video cameras. The device’s screen can be used to access various apps, such as Messages and Apple Music, and it can also be used to control other Apple devices, such as the Apple TV set-top box and the HomePod mini.

Limits and open questions

One of the limits of the Apple HomeView is its price, which is $299. This makes it a relatively expensive device, especially when compared to other smart speakers and smart displays on the market. The device’s availability is also limited to eight countries at launch, which may make it inaccessible to users in other parts of the world.

Another open question is how well the HomeView will work with non-Apple devices. While the device is designed to work with Matter smart home devices, it is not clear how seamlessly it will integrate with devices from other manufacturers. This may be a concern for users who have already invested in smart home devices from other companies.