Apple has announced Home View, a $299 smart home display with a 7-inch screen. It lets users control connected accessories, check calendars, make FaceTime calls, and enjoy music and video content. The device is described as "designed for life at home," with a wide range of features for managing accessories and staying organized.
One question the announcement did not fully answer is how much Home View will support third-party apps. Apple says the device supports a selection of its own apps, including Music, Podcasts, and Safari, along with "compatible third-party audio and video apps from your iPhone for a familiar experience across devices." The fine print differs between Apple's product page and its press release. The press release adds that select apps require a paired and compatible iPhone nearby. Some first-party apps, including Audiobooks, Apple Music Classical, News, and TV, will also be available from the iPhone.
Apple has not yet explained how the iPhone proximity requirement will work or whether developers will need to take extra steps to support Home View. According to Wired, a handful of third-party media apps like Spotify are available, and developers can bring over existing CarPlay apps. If an iPhone already has one of these CarPlay apps installed, it can automatically appear on Home View after setup.
This suggests Home View's third-party support will rely on the existing CarPlay framework rather than requiring apps built specifically for the device. It remains unclear whether the feature will extend to other CarPlay categories, such as communication and AI assistants, or stay limited to media apps. 9to5Mac has contacted Apple for clarification and will update the post if it responds.
Source: 9to5Mac · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing