Your kitchen counter probably has enough gadgets already. Apple would like to put one more there, and this one recognizes your face. At its “Welcome Home” event on Oct. 13, a $299 smart display called HomeView that promises to make running your home as easy as having a conversation.
And Apple has bigger plans for Siri. The company also unveiled a new HomePod mini, an upgraded Apple TV 4K and a collection of smart home accessories. Together, they could change how you interact with everything from your front door to your television. But there’s a catch. Some of the most interesting AI features require compatible Apple devices, and buying into Apple’s connected home could get expensive.
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The biggest announcement from Apple’s “Welcome Home” event is HomeView, a new 7-inch touchscreen that doubles as a smart home control center. It sits on a rounded speaker base and comes in four colors. Apple also offers a wall-mounted version for people who would rather keep their countertops clear. Here’s where things get interesting. HomeView can recognize up to six household members by their faces. Walk up to the screen, and it can switch to your personalized home screen with your calendar and reminders. Another family member can approach and see their own information instead. Initial setup and support for multiple household members require a compatible iPhone or iPad running the latest software, although general Siri AI conversations don’t require that device to support Apple Intelligence.
Apple says personal information stays protected through facial recognition and checks involving a paired iPhone or iPad. To display sensitive content, the system requires the recognized person’s paired device to be nearby and recently unlocked. That adds an important layer of security, especially in homes where several people share the same screen. Beyond the personalized experience, HomeView handles FaceTime video calls with Center Stage, which keeps you in the frame as you move around. It can display recipes while you’re cooking or help locate a missing iPhone using Find My. You can also control compatible smart home equipment without opening another app.
One feature caught my attention. HomeView can display up to nine live security camera feeds simultaneously. You could check a package delivery or see what’s happening in the backyard without pulling out your phone. Both HomeView models cost $299. Preorders opened Oct. 13, with availability beginning Nov. 13. However, the wall-mounted version requires a separate mounting accessory, starting at $59.95.
For years, Siri has been useful for simple requests, but longer conversations haven’t always gone smoothly. is designed to change that. It can handle more natural conversations, understand what’s displayed on a screen and answer broader questions using information from the web. For example, you could ask Siri to find a recipe someone emailed you or locate a song a f
