Apple has finally unveiled HomeView, its long-awaited smart display designed to compete with Amazon's Echo Show. Two versions will be available in November for $299. The device is a touchscreen hub that serves as a personalized control center for connected devices and audio, and it was built for Siri AI.
HomeView can adapt its content and features based on which family member is using it, pulling data from their iPhone or iPad. Its centerpiece is a 7-inch square Liquid Retina display. The tabletop version includes a base with a down-firing woofer and two force-canceling passive radiators that bolster the audio from the two full-range drivers in the display. A stainless steel hinge lets users adjust the viewing angle, and a wall-mounted option without a base offers the same functionality. The device has no buttons, so touch and voice are the only ways to interact with it.
The display reaches a maximum brightness of 500 nits and dims down to 0.3 nits, the lowest brightness Apple has ever offered on any device. That low setting is useful for early mornings or for placing the device on a nightstand. Its passive screens, called Faces, can be customized with art, photos and clock designs. A 12-megapixel FaceTime camera with Center Stage handles video calls, and the device supports voice and video apps alongside native iOS apps like Calendar and Weather.
HomeView uses facial and voice recognition to distinguish users and display a personalized interface. It is powered by an A18 chip, which supports the data security needed for an in-home device handling personal information. A new recipe mode in Safari formats recipes for easy reading, and Siri AI can help with extra ingredients or timers. HomeView is also part of Apple's broader smart home push, which includes devices designed with LG and Schneider Electric.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing