Apple Reveals HomeView Smart Home Hub, Preorders Open, Ships November 13

Apple has officially announced its long-rumored smart home hub, the HomeView, during its “Welcome Home” event. The announcement, reported by The Verge, confirms that the device is a 7-inch square display priced at $299. It will be available in two configurations: one designed for wall mounting and another that sits on a small speaker base.

Preorders for the HomeView start today, and the device will begin shipping on November 13. It comes in four color options: silver, starlight, rose pink, and space gray.

Functionally, the HomeView is positioned as a central control point for smart homes. It can display smart home controls, pull up information using Siri AI, take video calls, and show footage from HomeKit Secure Video cameras. Additionally, Apple says the device works as a Matter controller and a Thread Border Router. These are technical roles that allow the hub to manage and route communications between various smart home devices that support those standards.

Apple CEO John Ternus shared a short video on X demonstrating some of the different “faces” or display modes users can choose from.

The launch follows a lengthy period of speculation about Apple’s plans for a smart home display. According to Bloomberg, as cited in The Verge’s report, Apple had originally intended to release such a device in 2024 alongside an AI-powered upgrade to Siri. Those plans were apparently altered after the Siri upgrade was delayed. Apple eventually launched its Siri AI overhaul alongside its operating system updates last month.

For users, the HomeView represents Apple’s entry into a product category already populated by devices from Amazon and Google. Its $299 price places it in a similar range to some competing smart displays. The inclusion of Matter and Thread support could make it a more capable hub for users building smart homes around those emerging standards, potentially reducing reliance on multiple bridges or hubs from different manufacturers.

For developers and accessory makers, the HomeView’s reliance on HomeKit Secure Video and its role as a Thread Border Router may create new opportunities for integration. Devices that already support these standards could benefit from a centralized Apple hub, though it remains to be seen how open the platform will be to third-party services beyond Apple’s ecosystem.

The wider technology market may view the HomeView as Apple’s attempt to strengthen its position in the smart home, an area where it has lagged behind competitors. The device’s success will likely depend on how well Siri AI performs on the hub, especially given the prior delay. It also arrives as Matter and Thread continue to gain traction, and Apple’s support could accelerate adoption of those standards.

At this stage, the information is limited to what Apple has shared. Pricing, availability, and core features are confirmed by the company. However, details about the user interface, specific Siri AI capabilities, app support, and performance are not yet known. The impact on competitors and the broader market remains speculative until the device is released and reviewed.

This article is based on reporting by The Verge and does not include independent testing or analysis of the HomeView.