The Verge has published the first detailed look at Apple’s upcoming smart display, the HomeView, with executives explaining why the $299 device couldn’t launch until now. The answer, they say, is Siri AI.
HomeView resembles a large Apple Watch mounted on a flatter metallic HomePod mini. It is designed as a fixed communal device that is always powered, always unlocked and always in one place — it has no battery or detachable screen. The device acts as a hub for Apple Home and offers Apple’s first easy multiuser switching. It can also function as a home video phone, so calls can ring on the display when someone is at home.
Apple VP of product marketing for home Kaiann Drance told The Verge: “With the magic of Siri AI, it comes together in a way that we haven’t been able to deliver before.” Siri AI’s personal context feature can scan text messages and emails and serve relevant information to up to six household members. Apple VP Lilian Rincon added that Siri AI’s natural-language shift makes the assistant usable by different generations of family members by carrying out actions without a string of follow-up questions.
Where and when HomeView ships
According to Apple’s announcement, HomeView ships on 13 November for £299 in the UK and $299 in the US, and is also available in Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand and Singapore. It is not on sale in the European Union, because Siri AI is currently unavailable in iOS there. Our guide to Siri AI supported devices, languages and countries explains the EU restrictions. 9to5Mac also highlighted the interview.