Apple Wants to Move into Your Home. Should You Let It?
Apple's $299 HomeView smart display uses facial recognition to personalize the screen for up to six family members and shows live feeds from security cameras.
Apple unveiled smart home products including HomeView
Your kitchen counter probably already has enough tools. Apple wants to put another one in there, and this one recognizes your face. At its "Welcome Home" event on Oct. 13, Apple unveiled a $299 smart display called HomeView that promises to make running your home conversationally easy.
And Apple has bigger plans for Siri. The company also unveiled the new HomePod mini, an upgraded Apple TV 4K and a range of smart home accessories. Together, they can change the way you interact with everything from your front door to your TV. But there is a catch. Some of the coolest AI features require compatible Apple devices, and shopping for Apple's connected home can get expensive.
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Apple's $299 HomeView lets you adjust your thermostat, control lights, and manage connected devices. A touchscreen (Apple)
Apple's $299 HomeView detects who's standing in front of it
The biggest announcement from the "Welcome Home" event is Apple's HomeView, a new 7-inch touchscreen that serves as a smart home control center. It sits on a round speaker base and comes in four colors. Apple also offers a wall version for people who prefer to keep their desks clean. This is where things get interesting. HomeView can recognize up to six family members by their faces. Scroll to the page and it can take you to your personalized home page with calendar and reminders. Another family member can access and view their information instead. Initial setup and support for multiple family members requires a compatible iPhone or iPad with the latest software, although general Siri AI conversations do not require Apple Intelligence support.
Apple says personal information is protected through facial recognition and checks on the paired iPhone or iPad. To display sensitive content, the system requires the identified person's paired device to be nearby and recently unlocked. This adds an important layer of security, especially in homes where multiple people share the same screen. Beyond the personalized experience, HomeView takes FaceTime video calls to center stage, keeping you in the frame while you're on the move. It can show recipes while cooking or help locate a lost iPhone using Find My. You can also control compatible smart home devices without opening another app.
One feature caught my attention. HomeView can display up to 9 live security camera feeds simultaneously. You can check a package delivery or see what's going on in the backyard without taking out your phone. Both HomeView models cost $299. Pre-orders started on October 13th and will be available from November 13th. However, the wall-mounted version requires separate mounting accessories that start at $59.95.
Siri artificial intelligence wants to become your assistant
For years, Siri has been useful for simple requests, but longer conversations don't always flow smoothly. Apple's new Siri AI is designed to change that. It can handle more natural conversations, understand what's displayed on the screen, and answer broader questions using web information. For example, you can ask Siri to find a recipe someone emailed you, or a song a friend recommended in a message. By connecting the right device, Siri can search for relevant personal information and help fulfill those requests. Apple also says that conversations started in HomeView can continue in the Siri app on other compatible Apple devices.
However, there is an important compatibility requirement. HomeView can provide general Siri AI conversations without an iPhone or iPad equipped with Apple's intelligence. More personalized features require a paired and compatible device running the current software with Siri AI. Siri AI in HomeView also launches in beta Additionally, Apple says some AI features that use server-based models will have daily usage limits. The company plans to offer expanded access for a fee in the future.
HomePod mini 2 sounds better, but Siri AI comes later
Apple's HomePod mini 2 is getting its first major update. This compact speaker is now priced at $149 and comes in five colors, including pink and green. Inside, Apple added an S10 chip that processes sound in real time to improve audio performance. There is also a new feature called Sound Glow. The speaker's illuminated screen responds to music, changing colors and pulsing along with what you're playing.
The bigger story is what happens with the arrival of Siri AI. Apple says the speaker will eventually support natural conversations and more personalized prompts when paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone. It can also recognize different family members by their voices. However, Siri AI will not be available when the HomePod mini 2 first launches. Apple says it's getting there via an upcoming software update. If a smarter assistant is your main reason for upgrading, this is a very important detail. The HomePod mini 2 is available for pre-order now and will go on sale October 30.
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Apple TV 4K finally lets you talk without picking up the remote
Apple also introduced a new Apple TV 4K, one of its most useful features has nothing to do with picture quality. The fourth-generation Streambox includes three microphones that can hear Siri requests from across the room. This means you can search for a show or ask questions about what you're watching without reaching for the remote. Siri AI can also answer follow-up questions, such as asking where the video was filmed.
The new Apple TV 4K runs on Apple's A19 chip, which the company says is up to 50 percent faster CPU performance than the previous generation. It also supports a four-speaker surround sound setup using compatible HomePod speakers arranged in front and rear pairs. And there is one development that I think many people will welcome. The latest Siri remote can play audio to help you find its location. It also supports detailed search with some compatible iPhones. Useful when the remote control disappears somewhere on the sofa.
The new Apple TV 4K is priced at $299 and will be available on November 13. However, you may not need to buy Siri AI to try it out. Apple says the assistant is also available in beta on second-generation Apple TV 4K models and later. To use it, you or someone managing your Apple Home needs an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone or iPad running the latest software with Siri AI.
Apple's new smart home collection can make life easier
Apple is also putting more pressure on connecting the home with the Apple Home Collection. The company partnered with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric to develop cameras, smart locks and thermostats that connect directly through Apple's Home app. LG's Deadbolt smart lock is very interesting. It uses Ultra Wideband technology to detect when someone with a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch approaches the Home Key. The door can then be opened automatically without having to tap the lock. You can also use a backup pin or key. Lock prices start at $349.95.
Apple also introduced an LG video doorbell with two cameras. One attracts visitors while the other helps monitor packages left near the doorstep. Starting at $249.95. Meanwhile, an indoor camera starting at $199.95 can automatically tilt down to stop monitoring when a family member returns home. For temperature control, LG and Schneider Electric offer smart thermostats for $199.95. Using Apple's Home app, supported systems can adjust heating and cooling based on when someone is home. In eligible locations, they can also respond to electricity rates to help manage energy costs. One of the conveniences I like is that these accessories work directly through Apple's Home app. You don't need to create separate developer accounts or download additional apps to manage them. Apple says the lineup will begin in December, with select products coming in early 2027.
What happens to your privacy when Siri moves into your home?
This is the part of Apple's announcement that deserves a closer look. A screen that recognizes your face can be convenient, especially when several people share a home. But what happens when that same system connects to security cameras and your personal information? Apple says HomeView uses protected processing environments called Secure Exclaves to isolate camera and microphone data from the rest of the system. Separately, before displaying personal information, HomeView checks that it recognizes the user's face and that their iPhone or iPad is paired and recently unlocked. Siri requests can be executed directly on the device or use Apple's private cloud computing technology. Apple says data processed through Private Cloud Compute is neither stored nor accessible to the company.
For compatible security cameras, Apple also supports end-to-end encrypted HomeKit secure video storage. Some video summaries and AI recording features require a qualifying iCloud+ subscription. These protections are encouraging. However, I would like to know exactly which family members can access the system before setting everything up. I also check camera placement and sharing permissions, especially for indoor devices. For more privacy tips, see our CyberGuy article, Are Apple Devices Spying?
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Apple's new smart home lineup includes connected cameras, video doorbells, smart locks, and thermostats designed to work through the Apple Home app. (iStock)
Apple's latest announcements could make managing a connected home easier, especially for families that already rely on iPhones. HomeView gives you a shared control center, while an upgraded Siri can make everyday requests more natural. However, the cost adds up quickly. HomeView starts at $299, and the new Apple TV 4K costs another $299. Add compatible cameras or a smart lock, and you're paying significantly more. Some camera features also require an iCloud+ subscription.
There's also the question of how much of this technology you really need. If you already have a smart speaker that controls your lights and a TV that streams your favorite shows, Apple's latest hardware may offer more convenience than you need. I'll start by checking which Apple devices you currently have and whether they support the new Siri features. Then think about which upgrade would actually make your day easier. After all, spending hundreds of dollars to save a few taps on your phone deserves a little consideration.
Apple wants to play a bigger role in our homes, and I can see the appeal. I like the idea of asking Siri a question every time I want to control something without having to repeat myself or reach for my phone. And for families juggling different schedules, a smart display that recognizes who's using it can be really helpful. But I'm still not convinced that everyone needs another screen at home. Will Siri finally be as smart and useful as Apple promises? And how comfortable should we feel about an AI assistant accessing our personal data and home security cameras? Apple has specified some strong privacy protections, but I want to know exactly what information these devices collect and who can access it. Now, I'm selective. If your current devices are working well, there's no reason to rush out and replace them. HomeView has some cool features, but for $299, I want it to make my day easier in a meaningful way. The real test will be how well all these products work together when placed in our home.
Would you feel comfortable having an AI-powered display that recognizes your face and connects to your home security cameras? Let us know by writing to us at
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