Apple has unveiled HomeView, a new smart home device designed to bring entertainment, assistance and household controls together in one place.
Apple describes HomeView as a “smart home management” system. Its built-in facial recognition identifies different family members and displays a personalised interface for each person.
The device can be used to watch and listen to entertainment, interact with a smart assistant and control compatible smart home products.
HomeView was introduced at an event in New York, but customers will have to wait until November 13 before it goes on sale.
Daily Mail Science & Technology Editor Shivali Best attended the event and was among the first people to try out the new device.
The key question is whether HomeView justifies its £299/$299 price tag.
For households already invested in the Apple ecosystem, it could be an easy choice. However, anyone relying on Ring may want to consider the purchase more carefully because HomeView does not fully integrate with existing Ring cameras and doorbells.
HomeView was unveiled in New York and will not be available to buy until November 13. Daily Mail Science & Technology Editor Shivali Best attended the event and was among the first to test it.
HomeView looks particularly appealing for people already using Apple products, but Ring users should note that the device will not fully support their existing cameras and doorbell.
Family-specific interfaces
The family-specific interfaces were among the HomeView features that impressed me most.
A built-in camera can recognise up to six people, automatically loading a personalised experience according to who is using the device.
For example, if I am cooking, listening to my favourite music and following a recipe, HomeView can bring my preferred apps straight to the screen.
If my husband approaches the device to check his messages, HomeView switches to his own personalised setup without requiring him to navigate through menus.
I was initially concerned about the privacy implications, but Apple says personal content remains protected from other users. Messages and similar information are hidden from prying eyes.
For families or people sharing a home, HomeView offers a convenient way for everyone to access their own content with very little effort.
HomeView’s family-specific interfaces stood out as one of its most impressive features.
Apple says Siri AI can answer questions on “virtually any topic”. Its most useful role may be bringing information together from several apps.
Design
As expected from Apple, HomeView has a sleek and polished design.
It comes in two formats: a countertop version with an adjustable display positioned above a speaker base, and a wall-mounted model.
I prefer the countertop version, which is available in four finishes—space grey, silver, starlight and rose pink. Still, the wall-mounted option is a useful alternative for anyone who wants a more discreet setup.
Siri AI
Following the launch of Siri AI earlier this year, Apple has included the next-generation smart assistant in the HomeView – and it’s going to be incredibly useful.
While Siri AI can answer questions on ‘virtually any topic’, according to Apple, where I really think it will be handy is in pulling together information from multiple apps.
For example, say you suddenly remember that your friend Dave sent you a catchy song on iMessage. You could simply ask Siri to ‘play that song Dave sent’, and it will sift through your messages, find the track, and put it on through Apple Music.
Or say you’re looking at a recipe, and realise you don’t have onions. You could ask Siri to check the opening times of your local shop, to add onions to your shopping list, and even to remind you to pack a shopping bag!
Best of all, these conversations will automatically sync across your devices, so you can pick them up on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch when you’re not at home.
I personally prefer the countertop model, which comes in four colourways (space grey, silver, starlight, or rose pink), but I like that there’s the option for a wall-mounted model if you prefer something more discreet
Beyond entertainment, one of the features Apple focused on the most is the option to sync the HomeView up with other smart accessories in your home
Compatible smart accessories
Beyond entertainment, one of the features Apple focused on the most is the option to sync the HomeView up with other smart accessories in your home.
‘Thousands of smart home accessories are compatible with HomeView and Apple Home products,’ it explains on its website.
‘Just look for the Works with Apple Home logo. Lights, locks, cameras, and much more are available.’
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However, one of the most notable exceptions is Ring – whose smart devices are some of the most popular in the world.
Unfortunately, without Ring integration, you can’t view your Ring doorbell or security camera feeds directly through the HomeView, meaning you’ll need to keep using the Ring app to monitor your home.
Cost
The HomeView is priced at £299 in the UK, and $299 in the US, which I think is pretty reasonable.
For comparison, the Amazon Echo Show 11 costs $249.99, while the Google Nest Hub Max is $229.
So, is it worth buying one for your family?
In short, my answer is yes – but only if you use smart accessories that are compatible with the HomeView (you can see the full list here).
For households already invested in Ring’s ecosystem, however, I’d perhaps think twice before splashing out.
The lack of compatibility could be a significant drawback – particularly given that one of HomeView’s biggest selling points is bringing all your smart home controls together in one place.
The trillion-dollar rise of Apple
1976: Founders Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne created the company on April 1, 1976, as they set about selling computer kits to hobbyists, each of which was built by Wozniak.
The first product was the Apple I.
1977: Apple released the Apple II in June, which was the first PC made for the mass market.
Steve Jobs unveils Apple Computer Corporation’s new Macintosh in California on February 6, 1984
1981: Jobs became chairman.
1984: The Macintosh was introduced during an ad break for the Super Bowl and later officially unveiled during a launch event. It was discontinued a year later and Jobs left the firm.
1987: Apple released the Macintosh II, the first colour Mac.
1997: Apple announces it will acquire NeXT software in a $400 million deal that involves Jobs returning to Apple as interim CEO. He officially took the role in 2000.
Steve Jobs, then-chief executive officer of Apple, with the iPhone
2001: Apple introduced iTunes, OS X and the first-generation iPod.
The first iPod MP3 music player was released on October 23, 2001, at an event in Cupertino and was able to hold up to 1,000 songs.
2007: Apple unveils the iPhone.
2010: The first iPad was unveiled.
2011: Jobs resigned in 2011 due to illness, handing the CEO title to Tim Cook. Jobs died in October from pancreatic cancer.
2014: Apple unveiled the Apple Watch. It also unveiled its first larger iPhones – the 6 and 6 Plus.
2015: After purchasing Beats from Dr Dre, Apple launched Apple Music to compete with Spotify and other music streaming services.
2016: Apple returned to its roots and announced the 4-inch iPhone SE. Meanwhile, the firm is embroiled in a legal battle with the FBI, involving the agency demanding access to the locked phone used by Syed Farook, who died in a shootout after carrying out a deadly December attack in San Bernardino, California, with his wife. The court order was dropped on March 28 after the FBI said a third party was able to unlock the device.
2017: Apple introduces the iPhone X, which removes the home button to make way for a futuristic edge-to-edge screen design and a new FaceID system that uses advanced sensors and lasers to unlock phones with just the owner’s face.
Jobs at an Apple event at the company’s headquarters in Cupertino, California
2018: In a first for the company, Apple introduces new features in its latest operating system, iOS 12, that encourage users to manage and spend less time on their devices. The move was spawned by a strongly worded letter from shareholders that urged the firm to address the growing problem of smartphone addiction among kids and teenagers.
2019: In January, Apple reports its first decline in revenues and profits in a decade. CEO Tim Cook partly blamed steep declines in revenue from China.
2020: In March, Apple closes all its brick-and-mortar retail stores outside of China in response to coronavirus.
2021: In an online virtual event in April, CEO Tim Cook declares Apple’s goal of becoming carbon neutral for Earth Day. Later in the year, the iPhone 13 was announced.
2022: In September, the iPhone 14 was announced. One of the new features included a new sensor to detect if a user had been in a car crash, as well as an improved camera system.
2023: Apple brings back its ‘Home Pod’ after the first generation was discontinued. The ‘Home Pod’ can be seen as an alternative to Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home, as it is powered by voice commands.
2024: Apple makes its first steps into artificial intelligence with the release of Apple Intelligence. The features are not all released at once, with many delayed until the following year.
2026: Apple announces a leadership shakeup. After 15 years leading the company, Tim Cook steps aside from his position as CEO to become executive chairman. John Ternus, 51, Apple’s widely respected hardware chief, takes as CEO on September 1.