Can you tell me what the weather is today? asked the user, showing off the conversational skills of the new Apple HomeView.
Released on Friday the $299 smart display is the first dedicated hub for the Apple ecosystem, built to manage home automation and personal data through a 7-inch touchscreen.
The Display Adjusts to Your Angle
The device features a 1088-by-1088 resolution Liquid Retina display with a maximum brightness of 500 nits. The tabletop version measures 5.73 inches wide. Its height adjusts between 5.38 and 6.82 inches depending on the tilt of the stainless steel hinge. The depth ranges from 3.78 to 5.13 inches. The entire unit weighs 2.10lb (952g) and sits in a 100 per cent recycled aluminum domed base. It comes in five colors: Silver, Starlight, Rose, Pink, and Space Gray.
The wall-mounted version shares the same processor, display, cameras, and sensors as the standard tabletop model. The main difference is the internal audio: the wall-mounted version uses two custom drivers, while the tabletop unit has a more elaborate Spatial Audio speaker system.
During testing, that speaker system filled small-to-medium rooms, with volume reaching 87dB. Users can hand off content from an iPhone to the HomeView simply by placing the handset in front of the display.
Siri AI Answers on Its Own
At the core of the HomeView is the A18 chip, which powers the new Siri AI. Unlike previous versions of Apple’s assistant, the HomeView can process world knowledge queries on its own, without a paired device.
But to access personal context—such as specific calendar entries or text messages—it needs an iPhone or iPad in the home. That device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network and recently unlocked.
Reviewers said the device is snappy when handling basic voice requests for weather or music. It also handles multi-step routines, such as raising shades and turning on lights at the same time. Some users reported a 10 to 15-second delay when the AI searches through personal messages.
Apple Skips Face ID Here
Apple opted against using FaceID for the HomeView. The system needs to transition quickly between different users. It also relies on AI processing that exceeds the capacity of the standard Secure Enclave. Instead, the device uses the newly announced Secure Exclave. That component manages facial and voice recognition locally and keeps private data isolated.
The HomeView is built to be shared, supporting up to six unique profiles. It can detect the sound of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and send alerts to a user’s connected devices. The device lacks a depth-sensing or TrueDepth camera system, so it does not use biometric authentication the way a smartphone does.
One Hub for the Whole Home
The HomeView acts as an Apple Home hub, with both Thread and Matter controllers built in. It works with a wide range of existing smart devices, including Philips Hue lights, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen, Eve Cam, Anker Eufy cameras, and Ryse Shades.
Setup requires an iPhone or iPad running iOS 27.2 or iPadOS 27.2. Apple said its proprietary Home Collection, which includes new thermostats and locks, is scheduled for release in December.
The software is purpose-built for the smart display, with a grid of apps and widgets. There is no traditional App Store. Instead, the device uses a system similar to CarPlay, so only select apps are available.
Video playback is limited to Apple TV, and users said the experience feels underwhelming because thick black bars appear on the display. As a first-generation product, the HomeView marks Apple’s turn toward a persistent, glanceable interface for the home. At $299, it is the company’s first dedicated hub for the ecosystem.
Related reading
Discover more from Archyworldys
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.