Apple held a smart home event today, and the headline product is the one people have been asking about for years: HomeView, Apple's first smart home display [1][2].
What it is
HomeView has a 7-inch square Liquid Retina display (1088 by 1088) [1]. There's a tabletop model with a base that will remind longtime Mac fans of the G4 iMac, in four colors, and a wall-only model in two colors, and both cost $299 [1]. Wall mounts are extra: $59.95 for USB-C, $79.95 for AC power and $129.95 for Power over Ethernet [1]. It recognizes up to six people in the home and personalizes what each sees [1].
Apple's Greg Joswiak: "Apple HomeView is designed to be shared by everyone in the home yet feel completely personal to each user." [1]
Alongside it, Apple announced a HomePod mini 2, a refreshed Apple TV 4K and a new Apple Home Collection of accessories from partners including LG and Schneider [2].
The good
- Personal, shared. Six-person recognition is the right idea. A family device that shows each person their own calendar is how a home screen should work.
- PoE mounting. I did not expect Apple to offer Power over Ethernet, and the infrastructure nerd in me is delighted. One cable for power and network is how wall devices should be installed.
- The base. Apple remembered it's allowed to have fun with design.
The questions
- The mounts add up. A $299 wall model plus a $129.95 PoE mount is $428.95 before installation. Budget accordingly.
- Square screen, 7 inches. Great for widgets and controls, less great for watching a recipe video. This is a dashboard, not a TV.
- Ecosystem. It will shine if your home is already on Apple Home and Matter. If your house is a museum of mismatched smart plugs, plan an afternoon.
Privacy, briefly
Any always-on device in the kitchen deserves a look at its privacy settings on day one. Apple's track record here is better than most, but "trust, then configure" beats "trust, then forget."
Should you buy one?
- Already deep in Apple Home: probably yes, especially if you've been using an iPad as a wall panel.
- Starting from zero: wait for reviews and decide whether you want a screen at all. A HomePod mini might cover what you need for less.
- Considering a wall install: price the mount and the wiring before you fall in love.
Bottom line
HomeView looks like the kitchen counter screen Apple fans have wanted for years, at a reasonable price for the tabletop version. The wall version is where the costs creep up. Like most version-one Apple products, it will probably be very good, and the second one will probably be better.