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Apple’s HomeView Could Be Its First Real Smart Home Hit

Apple is betting big on a new Siri-powered hub with a display, hoping to finally make its smart home strategy work.

AIGenerated · Written by AI from the sources listed below · Read and approved by a person before publication
Smart thermostat mounted on a concrete wall, reflecting modern interior design with natural light.
Smart thermostat mounted on a concrete wall, reflecting modern interior design with natural light. File picturePhoto: Alexander Mass / Pexels

A Name Finally Revealed

Apple is set to unveil a new smart home hub called the HomeView during its "Welcome home" event on October 13. The announcement follows months of rumors about the device, which was once known unofficially as the "HomePad" because it blends features of an iPad and a HomePod speaker 1.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the HomeView is powered by an Siri assistant and an A18 chip, offering both a voice-controlled interface and a touchscreen for when users are standing right in front of it 3.

Two Ways to Mount It

Apple plans to sell two versions of the device. The countertop model comes with a metal speaker base and will be available in four colors: space gray, silver, starlight, and pink. The wall-mounted version has a flat, square base and will only come in space gray and silver 3.

This dual-format approach is a shift for Apple, which has struggled to make its smart home business take off. Its HomeKit software platform and HomePod speakers never gained strong traction with consumers 1.

More Than Just a Hub

The HomeView is designed to be the main control center for an Apple-powered home, displaying information on its screen that can be read from across a room. It will offer better sound quality than the upcoming HomePod mini, Gurman reported 3.

There will be no dedicated App Store for the device, though it will support a limited selection of Apple applications 5.

Alongside the HomeView, Apple will also introduce refreshed versions of the Apple TV 4K and the HomePod mini, both of which are expected to arrive on October 30 3. Earlier reports also suggested Apple is working with LG to build a smart lock, thermostat, and doorbell 1.

When Will It Arrive?

The HomeView is expected to ship around mid-November, about a month after its debut 3. Whether this will finally be Apple’s big moment in the smart home market remains to be seen, but the company clearly sees the opportunity.

With a proper display, stronger hardware, and deeper Siri integration, the HomeView represents Apple’s most serious attempt yet to turn its smart home ambitions into a reality.

Key facts

  • Apple HomeView will be unveiled at a 'Welcome home' event on October 13
  • It runs on an A18 chip with Siri and a display, controlled by voice and touch
  • Two versions exist: a countertop model in four colors and a wall-mounted model in two colors
  • No App Store will be available, but limited Apple apps will work on it
  • The device is expected to ship around mid-November

Sources

  1. Will the HomeView be Apple’s first smart home success? | TechCrunch — techcrunch.com
  2. Apple Smart Home Hub Reportedly Called HomeView | The Apple Post — theapplepost.com
  3. Apple HomeView Smart Hub to Ship in Mid-November in Four Colors — macrumors.com
  4. Apple's Smart Home Hub Will Reportedly Be Called HomeView — engadget.com
  5. Last-minute details about HomeView, Apple's smart home hub — cultofmac.com

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