HomeView hands-on: Apple’s new smart display has charm
Apple’s HomeView is a new personal smart display that combines traits of an Apple Watch, iPad, and smart speaker. It can be wall-mounted or placed on a base, and its design draws comparisons to the iMac G4 while remaining a distinct device. The hands-on notes that it needs to stay near an outlet, but praises its compact, personable look.
Apple’s HomeView is pitched as a smart screen for personal use around the house, rather than a watch, phone, or tablet, though it echoes each in how people interact with it. It responds to touch, can pivot, and accepts voice commands, and it comes either attached to a wall or resting on a base.
The base option is less expensive than a wall installation after mount and setup costs are included. Concealing wiring can make the wall version look clean and futuristic, but that task is not simple. Nearly 10mm thick, it has a brushed metal shell and rounded edges, evoking the iMac G4 while staying distinct. It still needs an outlet nearby.
A device like HomeView may make connected-home controls feel more approachable for families, renters, and people who dislike complex setups, since touch, voice, and a familiar design lower some barriers. Its need for an outlet could limit where it helps, favoring homes with convenient counters or wall space. If similar screens spread, they might reshape routines around reminders, calls, and appliances, while cost and privacy questions could slow adoption.