Full Breakdown
Apple Unveils HomeView Smart Display: Face-Recognition Hub Launches Nov. 13
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Launch Details
Apple announced on October 13 a new smart-home hub called HomeView, priced at $299 for both tabletop and wall-mounted versions. The 7-inch Liquid Retina display runs on an A18 chip, supports up to six facial profiles, and can show up to nine live camera feeds. Pre-orders opened the same day, and the devices will ship on November 13 in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India and New Zealand. The wall-mount version requires a separately purchased mount and power solution; the tabletop model includes a down-firing woofer and two passive radiators, while the wall model uses two custom drivers tuned for on-wall placement.
Background & Context
HomeView is Apple’s first new product category since the Vision Pro launch and expands the “Apple Home” ecosystem, which previously relied on iPads, HomePods and third-party accessories. By integrating Siri AI—the rebuilt voice assistant introduced with iOS 27—Apple aims to compete directly with Amazon’s Echo Show and Google’s Nest Hub.
Data & Statistics
- Price: $299 for both models; HomePod mini 2 at $149 (available October 30).
- User capacity: Recognizes up to six household members; each receives a personalized Home Screen with messages, calendar events, photos and Find My when a paired Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad is nearby.
- Display & Audio: 7-inch Liquid Retina, brightness 0.3–500 nits, True Tone; tabletop includes a down-firing woofer and two force-cancelling passive radiators, wall model has two full-range drivers.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, USB-C power (30 W adapter included for tabletop; wall model needs a 20 W adapter purchased separately).
- Accessory lineup (Apple Home Collection): LG indoor camera $199.95, LG wired video doorbell $249.95, LG smart deadbolt $349.95; accessories begin shipping in December, with some items slated for early 2027.
- Siri AI status: Beta on HomeView (software version 27.2). General knowledge queries work without a companion device; personal-context requests require a paired Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad.
Official Statements & Responses
Apple said HomeView will not be sold in the European Union at launch because Siri AI is unavailable on iOS in the EU, and the device’s personal-context features depend on that capability.
Criticism & Opposition
Reviewer Marques Brownlee noted disappointment, citing the lack of a native App Store and reliance on AirPlay for media. Reviewers also flagged the wall-mounted model’s higher effective cost (mount and power adapter add roughly $80–$130) and its reduced speaker system compared with the tabletop version.
On-the-Ground Reports
Early owners of the wall-mounted HomeView reported that the device will not power on without a 20 W USB-C adapter supporting 9 V × 2.22 A; using a lower-wattage charger triggers a “Not Enough Power” warning. The tabletop model includes a 30 W adapter, eliminating the need for a separate purchase.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the wall model’s audio quality: Apple’s marketing describes it as “full, balanced” and “tuned specifically for on-wall placement,” while some reviewers say the sound is “less suited to music” than the tabletop version. No independent acoustic measurements have been published.
What’s Next
Apple will release additional Home Collection accessories throughout December, with select items arriving in early 2027. A Power-over-Ethernet mount priced at $129.95 is scheduled for early 2027, offering wired power and data for new constructions. Siri AI will continue in beta, with updates expected to expand personal-context capabilities as the feature becomes available in the EU.