Apple wants a screen on your wall, and it’s asking $299 for the privilege. The company showed off Apple HomeView Tuesday at its “Welcome Home” launch as the centerpiece of a push to finally win over the living room, kitchen and front door.
The device is an iPad-like screen you can hang on a wall or set on a counter. Its main job is to show off the upgraded Siri, according to Reuters. Think of it as a smart home hub with a point to prove.
What the Apple HomeView actually does
The screen measures 7 inches and recognizes people by face. It controls doorbells, thermostats and smart locks, and it supports FaceTime. Apple says it runs on Apple Intelligence, per MacRumors.
Face recognition is the clever part. CNBC reports the screen is built for a whole household and shows relevant information to whoever walks up. Your calendar stays yours, and your kid’s stays theirs.
Pre-orders open today, and MacRumors lists a November 13 launch. Reuters only says it ships next month, so treat that date as likely rather than locked.
More than one gadget beside the HomeView hub
The HomeView hub did not come alone. Apple also rolled out a new Apple TV 4K and a refreshed HomePod mini. CNBC says the HomePod mini now comes in new colors and costs $149, up from $129.
That is a $20 bump for a color change. (Paint is apparently premium these days.)
Apple also showed doorbells, cameras and thermostats from LG and Schneider Electric, designed with Apple’s help. According to Reuters, more cameras and smart doorbells from other makers are coming too. Apple isn’t the only luxury-leaning launch this season, either: it also just debuted a radiant gold titanium Apple Watch with Hermès.
The Siri question for Apple’s smart display
Here’s the thing, and it’s the part that hits your wallet: Apple has tinkered with the smart home for a decade without major success, as Reuters put it. This Apple smart display exists to change that story, and you’re the one being asked to fund the sequel.
It is also a showcase for Siri’s big upgrade, which Reuters says arrived this summer with Google’s help. If the assistant is good, the screen sells itself. If it isn’t, you bought a very pretty tablet for your hallway.
Analysts are watching that closely. “AI alone will not be enough to convince households to invest in more devices,” said Paolo Pescatore of PP Foresight, per KFGO’s Reuters report. He added that Apple has to show AI can do more than basic voice commands.
Meanwhile, the competition is not standing still. Amazon refreshed its Echo and Ring lineup last week, and AI upstarts like OpenAI have hardware plans of their own. Counterpoint’s Mohit Agrawal said the upgrade cycle is wide open, and Apple wants to win it.
Who can’t buy Apple HomeView
Europeans are out of luck for now. Apple says it will not sell Apple HomeView in the EU because Siri AI remains unavailable there under EU regulations, per Reuters.
There is a security side note, too. Reuters points to growing worries that connected devices, from refrigerators to smart TVs, could be vulnerable to hackers. A screen that controls your front door lock deserves that same scrutiny.
Price tags are rising across the board, and not only on gadgets. Washington’s own books tell a similar story, as the U.S. budget deficit hit $2 trillion.
So is $299 a bargain or a bet? That comes down to whether Siri can finally earn a permanent spot on your wall.
