If you searched “apple event today” this morning, here’s the quick version. Apple held its event on Tuesday, and the star of the show was Apple HomeView, a brand-new smart display for the home. It’s Apple’s biggest push into the smart home in years, and there is a lot to unpack.
This guide breaks down the price, features, release date, and the few catches worth knowing about before you spend a dime.
What Is Apple HomeView?
Think of Apple HomeView as a small screen that acts as the control center for your house. Apple describes it as a 7-inch device that can sit on a table or hang on a wall, and it’s built for households with more than one person. You can use it to check your calendar, see photos, make FaceTime calls, play music, and control other smart gadgets. It can also be used for web browsing.
Apple’s rivals have sold similar devices for years, but this is Apple’s first real attempt at one. The launch puts Apple up against a market led by Amazon and Google.
The Apple Home Event: Where and How It Happened
This wasn’t a giant stage show. Apple held an in-person press experience in New York on Tuesday under the tagline “Welcome home.” That’s why people keep calling it the Apple home event.
There’s another interesting detail. The launch is the first non-iPhone product from new CEO John Ternus since he took over from Tim Cook at the start of September. So this event also served as an early look at how Apple will work under its new leader.
HomeView Price and Release Date
Here’s what you’ll want to know first:
- Starting price: $299, with shipping set for November 13.
- Pre-orders: They opened on Tuesday.
- Colors: Both versions come in space gray and silver, and the tabletop version also offers starlight and rose pink.
Here comes the catch. The wall-mounted home view Apple model has the same sticker price, but the mount is sold separately. The mounts cost $59, $79, or $129, depending on the power setup. That puts the real cost of the wall version at roughly $358 on the low end and up to $428 for the wired option. If you want it on the wall, plan your budget accordingly.
Key Features of Apple Home View
A sharp screen. The tabletop model pairs a 7-inch Liquid Retina touchscreen with an aluminum and stainless steel base. The speaker base has a look that Gizmodo compared to the old iMac G4.
It knows who’s talking to it. This is the headline feature. A built-in camera can recognize up to six members of a household and show each person a personalized home screen with their apps, widgets, and calendar items. It can pull from Messages, Photos, Calendar, and Reminders depending on who is using it. So you and your partner each see your own stuff.
It works with other smart devices. HomeView supports Matter and Thread, two widely used smart home standards, so it should work with many gadgets you may already own. Apple also said it works with locks, doorbells, and cameras from LG and Schneider Electric. Apple and LG are even selling an “Apple Home Collection” that includes a doorbell, lock, cameras, and a thermostat. Those accessories are expected to start shipping in December.
Siri gets a big role. This device is built around Apple’s rebuilt voice assistant. Apple showed off its new Siri AI at WWDC in June, and reports say simple tasks stay on the device while harder ones use more powerful cloud models. Reportedly, the system runs on a custom model licensed from Google. Apple hasn’t framed it that way in its marketing, so treat that part as a report, not an official claim.
Why Did It Take So Long?
If it feels like people have been talking about Apple HomeView forever, that’s because they have. Bloomberg reported that the hardware was finished long ago and was originally planned for a March 2025 debut, but the software behind it was delayed, so the device was pushed back too. Bloomberg also said the hub was delayed until Siri AI was ready to anchor it.
In short, Apple didn’t want to ship a smart display with a weak assistant. Whether the wait was worth it depends on how well Siri performs in your home.
What Else Apple Announced
HomeView wasn’t alone. Apple also announced an updated Apple TV 4K at $299 and a HomePod mini 2 at $149.
A small note of caution: one early report from the event said Siri AI features on the HomePod mini would arrive later, not at launch. If you’re planning to buy the mini mainly for the new Siri, double-check what’s available on day one. x
Privacy: Apple’s Big Selling Point
As always, Apple is leaning hard on privacy. That’s described as the biggest pitch for HomeView, as with most of Apple’s products. A camera and facial recognition in your kitchen is a big ask for some families, so it’s smart to read Apple’s privacy details before you buy. Check where face data is stored, what you can turn off, and how guests are handled.
Should You Buy It?
Here’s a simple way to think about it.
It could be a good fit if:
- Your family already uses iPhones, iPads, and Apple services.
- You want a shared screen for calendars, reminders, and FaceTime.
- You like the idea of one hub for your smart doorbell, lights, and thermostat.
You might want to wait if:
- You’re not sure about a camera in a shared space.
- You want to see independent reviews of how well Siri AI actually works.
- You plan to wall-mount it and don’t want the added mount cost.
The launch is November 13, so you have time to read reviews and compare it with competing smart displays before deciding.
Quick FAQ
What is Apple HomeView?
A $299 smart home display with a 7-inch screen, facial recognition for up to six people, and Siri AI.
When can I get it?
Pre-orders started Tuesday, October 13, with shipping beginning November 13.
Is the wall version cheaper?
No. It has the same starting price, but you must buy a mount, which brings the total up.
Was there an Apple event today?
The “Welcome home” event happened Tuesday, October 13. This article covers the recap.
What else did Apple launch?
A new Apple TV 4K at $299 and the HomePod mini 2 at $149.
The Bottom Line
Apple HomeView is Apple’s long-awaited answer to the smart home display, and it arrives with a clear plan: a shared screen that recognizes each person in the house and puts their stuff front and center. The price is reasonable at $299, though the wall mount adds up. The real test will be how smart and useful Siri AI feels day to day. We’ll keep following this story and update you as reviews and hands-on tests come in.
