Apple announced HomeView, a smart home hub with a 7-inch screen that starts at $299. CNBC reports the device was built to showcase new Siri AI abilities, while the iPhone remains investors' focus.
Apple on Tuesday announced HomeView, a new home hub that starts at $299 and ships on Nov. 13. The device has a 7-inch screen and can be mounted on a wall or placed on a table.
Business Insider described the launch as Apple's entry into a new product category: the smart home.
HomeView puts Siri AI on a household screen
Apple said HomeView recognizes the user by their face to display pertinent information. It supports up to six users and runs on an Apple A18 chip. Information from the Messages, Photos, Calendar and Reminders apps appears based on who is using it, powered by Apple Intelligence.
Users can converse with Siri, and those conversations will continue on their iPhone or iPad. The device also makes FaceTime calls, plays music through a built-in speaker and works as a digital photo frame.
Apple also said HomeView can act as a smart home dashboard for viewing camera feeds, adjusting the thermostat or locking connected doors. It works with new locks, doorbells and cameras from LG Electronics and Schneider Electric.
Investors remain focused on iPhone sales
CNBC noted that the products announced Tuesday are less critical for Apple than the iPhone, and that investors remain focused on iPhone sales. Apple's Wearables, Home, and Accessories category, which includes Apple TV, HomePods and HomeView, reported $7.88 billion in sales in the quarter ended June, about 7% of total revenue.
Business Insider wrote that HomeView shows Apple views the smart home market as one worth competing in with its own hardware. If the device takes off, the outlet said, leaving the Apple ecosystem for a rival becomes a harder decision.
Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini prices rise
The new Apple TV 4K rose from $199 to $299. The HomePod Mini now costs $149, up from $129. CNBC said the Apple TV increase comes after a similar one earlier this year, after Tim Cook said memory costs for Apple were unsustainable.
The launch is the second event under CEO John Ternus, who took over from Cook in September.
Sources: CNBC, Business Insider
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