Apple today opened pre-orders for the HomeView smart home hub.
HomeView is a 7-inch smart display and speaker that aims to be a central access point for up to six members of a family to access and control Apple’s ecosystem of devices, apps, and generative AI chatbot, which is currently in beta.
Users can talk to HomeView to control smart home devices, such as telling Siri to close smart blinds or activate smart locks. HomeView can also display a live stream of up to nine video streams simultaneously.
“With a compatible iCloud+ subscription, HomeView works with compatible cameras to deliver intelligent recognition and end-to-end encryption of people, familiar faces, pets, packages and vehicles, notifying the home the moment someone arrives at the front door. With video descriptions for HomeKit Secure Video footage, HomeView helps users quickly understand what happened in a video clip without even watching it,” Apple’s announcement said.
HomeView acts as a smart home hub.
Credit: apple
HomeView acts as a smart home hub.
Credit: apple
Competing with devices like the Amazon Echo Show, HomeView uses its built-in camera to identify who is using it and show them your profile, which users can personalize with their favorite apps and widgets. Users can connect their HomeView profile to their Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad and use the hub to access their Messages, Calendar, Reminders, and FaceTime.
“With an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad, Siri AI does more for every person: taking action across apps and displaying relevant information from Messages and Calendar, playlists in Apple Music, and more based on your personal context,” Apple’s announcement says.
