Apple introduces HomeView, a smart home hub with a 7-inch display

Apple has introduced HomeView, a smart display available in desktop and wall-mounted versions, designed for smart home control, video calls, and access to the company’s services.

The device features a 7-inch Liquid Retina screen, a 12 MP camera for FaceTime video calls, and a personalized interface that changes based on who is in front of the screen.

Design, display, and configuration options

HomeView is crafted from aluminum and equipped with a 7-inch Liquid Retina IPS touchscreen with a resolution of 1088×1088 pixels (220 ppi), True Tone support, and an oleophobic coating. Brightness is automatically adjusted from 0.3 to 500 nits, allowing for comfortable use of the device even at night.

Apple has provided two versions of HomeView:

• The desktop version of HomeView visually resembles the iconic 2002 iMac G4, known as the “Jobs lamp.” The screen is mounted on a dome-shaped base with an adjustable stainless steel hinge. The speaker system includes two full-range drivers, a woofer, and two passive radiators. It supports Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos and automatic sound tuning. The device weighs 952 grams. It is available in four colors: silver, space gray, pink, and Starlight.
• The wall-mounted version is designed as a flat panel measuring 145,5×145,5×9,8 mm and weighing 286 grams. It is equipped with two full-range speakers and is available in silver or space gray. Special Schneider Home mounts are provided for installation, with power supplied via USB-C, the mains, or Ethernet (PoE).

Both versions operate only on external power. The desktop model comes with a 1.5 m USB-C cable and a 30 W adapter. For the wall-mounted model, the mount, cable, and a power supply unit of at least 20 W must be purchased separately.

Performance and user recognition

HomeView is powered by the Apple A18 processor. The built-in 12 MP camera with an f/2.4 aperture supports the Center Stage feature, which automatically keeps video call participants in the frame during FaceTime conversations. Four microphones allow for voice command reception from a distance and suppress background noise.

The facial recognition system allows the device to identify up to six family members and automatically switch the desktop, widgets, music playlists, and calendars depending on the user. In addition, HomeView detects the distance to the person and adapts the interface: large information cards, such as the clock or weather, are displayed from a distance, while more detailed information appears as the user approaches.

Various watch faces and screensavers are available for the home screen. These include a digital photo frame with a depth effect, interactive Flow animations, and a Snoopy screensaver, whose behavior changes depending on the time of day, weather, and other events.

Siri AI, security, and control

HomeView supports the new version of Siri AI based on Apple Intelligence. The updated voice assistant is capable of more natural dialogue, taking conversation context into account, and continuing conversations across other Apple devices. When paired with a compatible iPhone or iPad that supports Apple Intelligence, the assistant can also access the user’s personal data, including messages, calendar, and other information from apps, to generate personalized responses.

To protect privacy, Apple uses isolated Secure Enclaves in the A18 processor, which process camera and microphone data separately from the rest of the system components. At the same time, Siri AI requests can be processed either directly on the device or through the secure Private Cloud Compute infrastructure.

Access to personal messages, calendars, and other sensitive data is granted only after the user’s face is recognized, provided that their paired iPhone or iPad is nearby and has been recently unlocked.

Initial setup of HomeView requires an iPhone with iOS 27.2 or an iPad with iPadOS 27.2 or later. Siri AI is currently in beta and is available only in English. Certain cloud-based AI features have daily limits, and Apple plans to offer paid expanded access in the future.

Connectivity and smart home capabilities

HomeView supports Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6.0, Matter, and Thread. Built-in sensors measure temperature, humidity, and ambient light, while an accelerometer detects the device’s orientation.

As a smart home control hub, HomeView allows you to control lighting, thermostats, door locks, blinds, and security cameras. You can view up to nine video feeds simultaneously on the screen.

With an iCloud+ subscription, compatible cameras support the recognition of people, animals, cars, and packages. AI-generated descriptions of HomeKit Secure Video recordings are also available, allowing you to know the content of a video without watching it. This feature requires a compatible iPhone or iPad with Apple Intelligence.

In addition, HomeView is capable of recognizing fire alarm and carbon monoxide detector sounds, sending notifications to your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch.

The device supports Apple Music, Podcasts, Apple TV, AirPlay, Handoff, and multi-room music playback. You can send voice messages to other Apple devices in the home via Intercom. Find My, Live Activities, messages, reminders, timers, and recipe viewing with step-by-step instructions are also available.

Alongside the HomeView announcement, Apple introduced the Apple Home Collection line of accessories, developed in collaboration with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric. It includes smart thermostats, sensors, outdoor and indoor cameras, a video doorbell, and an electronic door lock. Sales of the first accessories will begin in December 2026, with the rest following in early 2027.

Release dates and pricing

Pre-orders for HomeView started on October 13 in the US, UK, Canada, India, Australia, and New Zealand. Retail sales and customer deliveries will begin on November 13. In Singapore, pre-orders will open on October 15. In South Africa, the device will be available from authorized Apple retailers on November 13.

HomeView will not be sold in European Union countries for the time being. The reason is the unavailability of Siri AI on iOS devices in the EU. Apple is in negotiations with European regulators, but no timeline for a potential release of the device in this market has been announced.

Both versions of HomeView cost $299 in the US and £299 (≈ $396) in the UK. Schneider Home wall mounts are sold separately: the USB-C version costs $59,95, and the version with mains power connection costs $79,95. The Power over Ethernet (PoE) mount will go on sale in early 2027 for $129,95.