Apple’s HomeView Brings a Watch-Style Interface to a 7-Inch Smart Display
Apple introduced the HomeView, its first smart display, featuring a 7-inch square screen and customizable faces similar to an Apple Watch. It runs a dedicated HomeView operating system rather than iOS or iPadOS, with a curated app selection instead of an App Store. The device costs $299 and comes in speaker-base and wall-mounted versions, with preorders open and sales starting November 13.
Apple’s HomeView marks its entry into screen-based home devices. The 7-inch square panel uses swappable faces reminiscent of Apple Watch, with adjustable colors and glanceable widgets covering time, photos, weather, and even Snoopy. Beneath that interface is a purpose-built HomeView system, not iOS or iPadOS.
Instead of an open app store, Apple curates software such as FaceTime, Messages, Safari, and some third-party media apps; existing CarPlay titles can surface automatically. Setup favors newer iPhones with Apple Intelligence, though older models retain limited Siri functions. The $299 device arrives in speaker-base and wall-mount forms, with an A18 chip and four finishes.
The HomeView may appeal to Apple households seeking a shared control and communication screen, potentially making video calls, messages, and home controls more accessible in kitchens or hallways. Its curated app model could shape what services families encounter, while requiring a recent iPhone may limit access for some users. If wall-mounted versions spread, always-visible displays could raise questions about privacy and attention in shared spaces, though adoption and real-world effects remain uncertain.