Ing. Calogero Bono
Apple is bringing HomeView, its first smart display, to market with the first deliveries starting November 13. It costs $299 and revolves around Siri AI. According to MacRumors it will not be sold in the European Union, because Siri AI is not available there. Early reviews find it well made but limited, and it matters most for those who work with apps and services tied to the Apple ecosystem.
A few terms before we get into the facts. Smart display is a screen with a speaker and voice assistant for controlling the home. Siri AI is the smarter version of Apple's assistant, arriving with iOS 27. Personal Context lets Siri search personal data, for example in messages. Widgets are small tiles from an app, here the same ones as on the iPhone. Nit is the unit used to measure screen brightness.
What is Apple HomeView?
According to MacRumors it is a cross between a small iPad and a HomePod. It has a 7-inch square screen, a tabletop version with an audio base and a wall-mounted one. With a camera and voice recognition it identifies up to six people in the home and shows personalized content.
It has no App Store, but preinstalled Apple apps and iPhone widgets. It serves for video calls, calendar, weather, music and control of home devices. The Apple page states that iOS 27.2 or iPadOS 27.2 or later is required.
How much does it cost and where can you buy it?
The price is $299 for both versions. Those choosing the wall-mounted one must add the bracket. According to Tom's Guide, the wall USB-C connector costs $59 and the hardwired bracket $79, with an electrician recommended for the latter. The tabletop model comes in four colors, the wall one in two.
The launch covers Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. Not Europe, because Siri AI is missing. To understand how Apple manages service availability, see the waitlist used during periods of high demand.
What is it like and how does it sound?
According to Engadget, the display has a 1,088 x 1,088 resolution and brightness from 0.3 to 500 nits. The chip is the A18, used to process camera and microphone on the device. The only port is a USB-C for power and there are no physical buttons.
The audio is the strong point. TechRadar speaks of surprising bass and sound capable of filling the kitchen and living room. Tom's Guide finds it good for its size, but without dedicated volume controls.
Does Siri AI on HomeView really work?
Opinions differ. TechRadar finds it useful especially with Personal Context, but slow, with complex requests taking 10 to 15 seconds. Engadget finds the answers more natural than before. Tom's Guide, in a comparison with Alexa+ on Echo Show 15, rates it behind on weather and ordering a pizza.
For the future of the assistant, there is the news on Siri becoming more agentic from 2027 according to Gurman.
Limits to know
The reviews come from US outlets, based on products tested for only a few days, from eight days to a week. No source covers Italy, nor European prices or dates. We do not know if or when HomeView will arrive in Europe. Even the opening to third-party apps is only a guess by TechRadar, tied to WWDC 27.
What changes for those who work in digital
For those who develop or manage digital services, HomeView has no App Store and uses iPhone widgets. For now, then, there is no new platform to publish on. Anyone working with iOS and Android apps would do well to check how existing widgets behave on a square screen. Tom's Guide notes that some show a message saying the app is only available on iPhone.
Those selling in Europe have no official HomeView customer to serve. For a shop or a studio, it remains a product to keep an eye on.
Our take
HomeView is a cautious debut, and the caution shows. Carefully designed hardware, thoughtful privacy with face and voice recognition on the device, but a dependence on the iPhone that Engadget sums up well. Paying $299 to use Siri AI you already have on your phone is hard to justify, as Engadget itself points out. The real test will be the opening to apps. Without it, it stays an accessory for people who already live in the Apple ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
When does Apple HomeView come out?
Deliveries start November 13. According to Apple, pre-orders were open with that date. In Australia and New Zealand the launch falls on November 13, before the United States.
Can I buy Apple HomeView in Italy?
No, at least at launch. MacRumors reports it is not available in the European Union because Siri AI is missing. No arrival dates have been announced.
How much does HomeView cost?
It costs $299, £299 or 449 Australian dollars according to TechRadar. The wall-mounted model requires a separate bracket, starting at $59.
Do I need an iPhone to use it?
Yes, for the full experience. Apple requires an iPhone with iOS 27.2 or an iPad with iPadOS 27.2. Guests without Apple devices can use the basic features.
Does HomeView have an App Store?
No. It has preinstalled Apple apps and widgets from the iPhone. According to TechRadar, third-party apps are limited.
What to watch for HomeView in the coming months
The product has just been born and much depends on choices Apple has not yet made. Three signals will show where it is headed.
- Check whether WWDC 27 brings a dedicated home operating system and an opening to apps.
- Follow any arrival of Siri AI in Europe, on which the sale of HomeView depends.
- Read the latest on the security camera feature with HomeKit Secure Video.
Sources
- apple.com
- macrumors.com, HomeView Launch Kicks Off as First Orders Reach Customers
- techradar.com, After 8 days with Apple’s first smart display, I’m convinced HomeView was worth the wait
- tomsguide.com, I tested the Apple HomeView for a week — and I was expecting a lot more
- engadget.com, Apple HomeView review – A versatile smart display and Siri-powered home hub
