Apple HomeView: How Apple Is Rethinking the Connected Home

Apple announced HomeView on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at its "Welcome home" event. It's Apple's first dedicated smart home hub, and it also marks CEO John Ternus's first launch outside the iPhone since he succeeded Tim Cook in September.

This guide explains what HomeView does, how it changes the Apple smart home, and who should consider it.

What Is Apple HomeView?

• Display: A 7-inch square Liquid Retina screen with True Tone, adjusting from 500 nits down to 0.3 nits for dark rooms
• Designs: A tabletop version with a domed speaker base and tilting hinge, and a wall-mounted version
• Camera: A Center Stage camera for FaceTime calls
• Price: $299 for both versions in the US, and £299 in the UK
• Availability: Preorders opened October 13, with deliveries starting November 13

How HomeView Changes the Connected Home

Until now, Apple's home products were speakers and software. HomePod and HomePod mini could act as hubs, but they had no screen, so you needed an iPhone to see what was happening. HomeView fixes that gap.

Dashboard You Can See

HomeView shows smart home controls on screen. A "Home Modular" face gives instant access to accessories, and a "Home Camera" face can stream up to nine video feeds at once. It controls compatible lights, locks, thermostats, blinds, and security cameras through Apple's Home app, and setting up a new device takes one tap from your iPhone.

Shared Device With Personal Profiles

HomeView can recognize up to six people and show each one a personalized Home Screen with their own apps and widgets. Apple says personal content stays private from others, while shared photos and music stay available to everyone, including guests. Beyond smart home control, it handles FaceTime calls, music, podcasts, calendars, and video recipes.

Siri AI Is the Real Showcase

Apple built HomeView to show off its upgraded Siri AI. Siri can answer broader questions and perform tasks, such as finding your keys through an AirTag. The catch: Macworld reports that some personalized AI features require a recent Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad. If your phone is older, you may not get the full experience.

Apple Home Collection and the Wider Lineup

Apple also announced the Apple Home Collection, a set of partner accessories. Reports say LG will supply devices such as a smart doorbell, deadbolt lock, thermostat, and security cameras, with a mid-November release. The partnership should help keep the cost of a full smart home down.

HomeView launched alongside a new Apple TV 4K and the HomePod mini 2. Apple priced the new mini at $149, up from $129, and it supports Siri AI. You can connect speakers to HomeView or use the new Apple TV as another hub.

What Is Still Unclear

• Apps: Coverage lists first-party apps, including Safari, News, Intercom, Music, and Podcasts. One outlet says there's no App Store, which remains unconfirmed.
• Matter support: The coverage I reviewed doesn't detail Matter compatibility for HomeView, so check Apple's spec page before buying non-Apple accessories.
• Home Collection pricing: Partner device prices weren't clear.
• Real-world performance: No hands-on reviews exist yet.

HomeView vs Echo and Nest Displays

At $299, HomeView costs more than Google's Nest Hub Max, which sells for $229. Apple is betting that deeper integration with iPhone and the Home app justifies the premium. If you already use Apple devices and HomeKit accessories, that bet makes sense. If you use Alexa or Google Home gear, an Echo Show or Nest display will likely fit better.

Should You Buy Apple HomeView?

Buy it if you're invested in Apple's ecosystem, own a recent iPhone, and want a shared control panel for your home. Wait if you need third-party apps, use non-Apple smart home systems, or want reviews first. Deliveries start November 13, so you have time to read hands-on tests before deciding.

HomeView shows Apple finally treating the smart home as a product category, not an accessory. A screen, personal profiles, and Siri AI make the Apple home easier to see and control. Its success depends on how well Siri AI performs and how open the platform proves to be.