Apple’s $299 HomeView Smart Display Doubles as a Siri Hub

Apple is releasing its first smart display, the HomeView, priced at $299, marking its entry into a market dominated by Amazon and Google for nearly a decade. The device requires an iPhone or iPad to function, mirroring apps through CarPlay-like technology. The HomeView features a 7-inch display with a domed base, offering tilt-only adjustment and no physical buttons. It runs on Apple's A18 chip, enabling on-device processing for Siri AI, which can access personal data from apps like Messages and Calendar with user opt-in. The device also serves as a smart home hub, supporting HomeKit and Matter devices. The smart display excels in audio quality, positioned between the HomePod mini and HomePod, and offers various watch-style faces for customization. However, video streaming is limited to Apple TV, and recipe formatting in Safari varies by publisher. FaceTime, Find My, and intercom features are included, though Live Activities support remains restricted.