Apple has introduced the HomeView, a new smart home hub featuring a 7-inch display and Siri AI. The device starts at $299 and will ship on November 13, marking a significant expansion of Apple's smart home ecosystem under CEO John Ternus.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Apple Inc. announced the HomeView, a new smart home hub equipped with an AI voice assistant, during a "Welcome Home" themed event in New York on Tuesday. The device, which starts at $299 in the US market, is designed to serve as a central control point for smart home devices while showcasing Apple’s upgraded Siri AI capabilities. Pre-orders began on October 13, with official shipping scheduled for November 13.
The HomeView features a 7-inch Liquid Retina display and is available in two configurations: a tabletop model with a domed speaker base and a wall-mounted version. According to Apple, the device uses facial recognition to identify up to six family members, allowing it to display personalized content such as messages, calendar events, and photos for each user.
The hub supports voice and touch interactions. Users can control smart home facilities including lights, thermostats, smart door locks, and cameras. It also supports FaceTime calls, music playback, and video viewing. The device is powered by an Apple A18 chip and integrates with Apple Intelligence to provide context-aware responses. Conversations with Siri AI can be continued across other Apple devices, such as iPhones and iPads.
Alongside the HomeView, Apple launched the new Apple TV 4K, priced at $299, and the HomePod mini 2, priced at $149. The company also introduced the Apple Home Collection, a line of accessories developed in collaboration with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric. These products include smart cameras, video doorbells, door locks, and thermostats designed to integrate seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem.
Apple emphasized privacy in its marketing, stating that the Home Collection accessories encrypt data so that only the user and those they share with can access it. "It recognizes your face to shift from a household screen to your own experience, fills the room with incredible sound, keeps you connected to the people who matter most with FaceTime, and makes it easy to control your smart home," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's Senior Vice President of Global Marketing, in a statement.
The launch of the HomeView represents Apple's most significant push into the smart home market in recent years, an area where competitors like Amazon and Google have established strong footholds. Bloomberg reported that the HomeView's starting price is higher than similar products from these rivals.
Notably, The Guardian reported that the HomeView will not be sold in the European Union because Siri AI remains unavailable there due to EU regulations. The device is available for pre-order in the United States, Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, and the UK.
This launch marks the second major product release under Apple CEO John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook in September. It signals a strategic shift to prioritize hardware and design in the smart home sector, aiming to lock customers further into the Apple ecosystem. By integrating Siri AI with personal context from other devices, Apple hopes to differentiate its offering in a crowded market dominated by Amazon's Echo and Google's Nest products.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
The day's checked news, by email
One short email a day with the top stories. Free, and you can unsubscribe in one click.
Or follow for the latest news:
TechSponsored
Hutton Aerographics displays a project portfolio featuring real estate, survey, and commercial drone work across British Columbia, highlighting specific case studies and partner spotlights.
Abdulrahman Alfozan, a Saudi national and OpenAI engineer, was arrested after a recording device was found in an executive conference room. The DOJ alleges he attempted to intercept confidential communications.
