Apple launches HomeView, its first smart display for the home

Apple has launched the HomeView, its first smart display, priced at $299, available for pre-order now and shipping November 13th in eight countries: the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, and India. The device puts a 7-inch square screen on an aluminum speaker base with an adjustable stainless steel arm, includes a 12-megapixel FaceTime camera and Siri AI for natural-language voice interactions, and acts as an Apple Home hub, Matter controller, and Thread Border Router. It can make FaceTime calls with Center Stage, display photos, recipes, and HomeKit Secure Video feeds, and switch between household and personal use via facial recognition combined with a recently unlocked, Apple Intelligence-capable iPhone on the same network. A wall-mountable version without the speaker base costs the same $299 and comes with plug-in, in-wall power, and in-wall PoE mounting options. The HomeView supports Apple apps like Calendar, Reminders, Messages, and Music, plus some third-party audio apps, though no video apps yet. Early impressions suggest it looks gorgeous and is intuitive to use, but its success hinges on whether people want a communal device for personal interactions, especially since the experience is closely tied to your iPhone.

(Source：The Verge)