Apple's new $299 Home View smart display looks like a strong pitch. At this price, it seems Apple is positioning it as an invitation to try a new product category. Although the company is not the first to make a smart display, Home View appears to have the polish and consideration that an iPhone user would expect. The verdict on its real-world performance is still out until the device can be seen and heard in action.
The new Apple TV 4K is a different story. At $299, it feels priced more like specialized hardware. Its price history is turbulent: the third-generation model launched at $129 and $149, but after Apple raised prices in June, the $129 model jumped to $199 and the $149 model to $249. The latest model now sits at $299, which brings the Apple TV back to its original 2007 starting price. Meanwhile, a 65-inch 4K LED TV with the Apple TV app built in can now be bought for $299, so the box is increasingly positioned as a way to bring the full Apple experience to a TV rather than to add streaming apps.
The feature set offers some appeal. Built-in microphones are a useful addition, and the chip upgrade and support for a home theater setup with HomePod speakers add value. A full setup with two HomePods and two HomePod minis reaches about $1,300. Still, the author notes that a premium home theater is not a priority for most budgets, and that they remain happy with an older Apple TV 4K from 2021.
For those who prioritize a premium home theater and are not concerned about cost, the $299 Apple TV 4K is a clear upgrade over built-in TV apps for Apple users. For everyone else, the hope is for a future Apple TV option that is less overpowered and overpriced, perhaps one without the $59 Siri Remote included in the box.
Source: 9to5Mac · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing