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The Verge’s hands-on report describes Apple HomeView, a $299 smart-home display with a 7-inch square screen, Apple Home controls and Siri features. The reporter tested touch controls, camera viewing and recipe handoff, but some Siri capabilities were shown only in demonstrations. Preorders are open, with shipping scheduled to begin Nov. 13.
Apple has announced HomeView, its first smart-home display, and The Verge has published a hands-on report on the $299 device, which combines a 7-inch touchscreen with controls for Apple Home. The display is available to preorder, with shipping scheduled to begin November 13; the report describes several features tested in person and others shown only in demonstrations.
The Verge described HomeView as a compact display with a 7-inch square Liquid Retina screen and a small aluminum base that also serves as a speaker. The reporter said the screen appeared bright and responsive, and that the device offered both tabletop and wall-mounted versions. Its interface uses changeable “faces,” including a Home Widget that brings Apple Home controls to the display.
During the hands-on, the reporter used the Home Widget to control a thermostat and door lock and activate a scene. The report also describes swiping to view live feeds from HomeKit Secure Video cameras and access nearby accessories. When the reporter tried to unlock a door, HomeView required authentication using a face or iPhone.
Other features included FaceTime with Center Stage, a 12-megapixel camera, and recipe handoff from an iPhone. In the recipe demonstration, HomeView reformatted a recipe for its screen and displayed timers alongside steps. Apple says most recipes that use Google formatting will work with the feature. The reporter did not independently test every advertised capability.
A New Screen for Apple Home
HomeView gives Apple users a dedicated, walk-up control point for smart-home devices, rather than requiring them to reach for an iPhone or use a voice command. Its wall-mounted option could place household controls in a shared location, while the tabletop model is aimed at spaces such as a kitchen counter.
The more ambitious possibility is a closer connection between Siri, personal information and home routines. In a demonstration observed by The Verge, Siri used a message about a visitor’s flight, estimated transit time and scheduled a coffee maker to run before the visitor arrived. If the feature works reliably in everyday use, it could make home automation respond to personal plans instead of only direct commands. That broader capability, however, was not tested by the reporter.
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How HomeView Fits Apple’s Home
The Home Widget is described as a version of the Apple Home app designed for a larger screen. The Verge reported that it offers the same device controls available in the iPhone app, with touch interactions intended for people walking up to the display. The interface also borrows familiar gestures from Apple devices: swipes move between faces and features, while a downward swipe opens Control Center.
HomeView also connects to other Apple devices. The recipe feature uses Handoff to move content from an iPhone to the display, where it can be presented as a step-by-step cooking guide. The report frames the device as a smart-home controller, assistant and household hub, but does not provide details about its full technical specifications or how it compares with competing displays.
“The HomeView feels like a giant Apple Watch paired with the functionality of an iPhone and the room to breathe of an iPad.”
— The Verge reporter, Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Siri and Recipe Support Untested
The hands-on covered only some HomeView features. The Verge reporter said they did not personally test Siri’s use of personal context; that capability was shown in a demo. The report also does not establish how consistently Siri can interpret messages, coordinate schedules or set routines in normal household use.
Apple’s statement that most recipes using Google formatting will work leaves open how the feature handles recipes from other sources, including social-media videos. The report also does not provide a full list of technical specifications, supported devices or availability details beyond the stated preorder and shipping dates.
Preorders Ahead of November Shipping
HomeView is available for preorder at $299, and Apple plans to begin shipping units on November 13. The Verge said its reporter had tested only a portion of the device’s features and looked forward to further testing. Independent use will provide a clearer picture of Siri’s personal-context functions, recipe compatibility and how HomeView performs as an everyday home controller.
Key Questions
What is Apple HomeView?
HomeView is Apple’s first smart-home display, with a 7-inch square touchscreen, a speaker base and controls for Apple Home. It is designed for tabletop or wall-mounted use.
How much does HomeView cost, and when does it ship?
The stated price is $299. Preorders are open, and shipping is scheduled to begin November 13.
What smart-home controls did the hands-on report test?
The Verge reporter used the display to control a thermostat and door lock, activate a scene, and view live feeds from HomeKit Secure Video cameras. A door-unlock attempt prompted authentication using a face or iPhone.
Were all of HomeView’s Siri features tested?
No. The report says Siri’s use of personal context, including combining messages and travel information to set a routine, was shown in a demonstration rather than tested by the reporter.
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