Apple’s HomeView smart display draws scrutiny over five odd design choices
Apple has launched HomeView, its first dedicated smart home display, with Siri AI, smart home controls, and entertainment apps. The article argues that despite filling a gap in Apple’s lineup, several decisions are questionable. It highlights the rounded-square screen, limited color options, and a possible lack of third-party apps as key concerns.
Apple’s HomeView arrives after months of speculation as the company’s first display built specifically for the smart home. It combines Siri AI, home-management tools, and entertainment apps, positioning Apple against Amazon’s Echo Show family.
The device uses a rounded-square panel, a departure from the rectangular screens common among smart displays. Buyers can pick Silver, Starlight, Rose Pink, or Space Grey. At launch, third-party app support is sparse—Spotify and Audible are exceptions—while YouTube and Netflix are unavailable. Full features require an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, and Android devices cannot set it up.
HomeView may appeal mainly to Apple loyalists already invested in its ecosystem, while Android users and owners of older iPhones could find themselves excluded from its most useful functions. Its square screen and limited launch apps might shape how families use shared displays for calls, recipes, and video, potentially pushing some toward rival platforms. If third-party support grows, it could help normalize Apple’s approach to smart-home hubs; if not, it may remain a niche lifestyle device rather than a household staple.