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Comments (570)

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  schmichael
  The weird thing about this product is that its biggest competitor is "an old ipad." I feel like most of their target customer base already has an old ipad that's better suited for what this does in every way. Old ipads:1. Have a battery so you're not tied to a cord. Even old poor batteries are better than no battery.2. Have apps! How does this not support apps?!3. Have a huge range of 3rd party products and hacks and 3D models to wall mount it or stands for it4. Are kitchen-safe (splatter proof, far fewer holes than this product, movable out of the way)5. Also support siri and facetime and everything this device does AFAICTI'm guessing they realized this and made sure it's priced lower than the cheapest new iPad, but it will be interesting to see if the price difference can compete with the old iPads most of their customers have in drawers or already on walls.Maybe the purpose-built nature will be a reasonable enough differentiator, but I'm not sure it's focused enough for that. It's both a passive information station and for calls? It's for recipes which implies you put it in the kitchen, but it looks like a nightmare to clean with all those holes? It's also a very small screen when you have to read the recipe from a distance because it has no battery. I can't move my stove to it, and I definitely don't want it too near a stove or sink!The multiple users feature is a really neat trick, but I would kill to have this for all Apple devices. Let me hand my kid my phone and it automatically switches to kid mode!Please Apple don't lock multiple users to stationary devices like HomeView!
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  fmarasho
  > Secure Exclaves. The A18 chip inside HomeView contains Secure Exclaves that process the camera and microphone feeds in a secure compartment that cannot be accessed by the operating system or by Apple. This enables HomeView to recognize the face and voice of each user without exposing the audio and visual data used for recognition to the operating system.This is interesting!
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  Brendinooo
  Props to Apple for making this. Always cool to see them try stuff. That said:I watched their video demo with the family getting ready in the morning: there are some interesting ideas here but imo if this doesn't get reasonably full access to the App Store then it's a no-go for me. Like: FaceTime while cooking, sure, but those calls tend to happen on Messenger and Snapchat for us. Music in the kitchen, sure, but I run Plexamp. My kids are always stealing my iPad to run the Toybox 3D printer; this would be a great thing for them to use.And so on.My house has a bunch of spots on the wall where an old intercom system used to live: it'd obviously be a budget buster to buy a bunch of these to fit in those slots but even if you did, you'd need Apple to provide an intercom solution (a la the Watch's Walkie-Talkie?) or you're...out of luck.
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  postalcoder
  The overwhelming cynicism about this product I'm seeing here on HN tells me it's going to be a hit.
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  xd1936
  Through the incredible power of Siri AI™, you can now get a "I didn't understand that. Do you want to search the web for 'turn on the kitchen lights'?" response faster than ever before.
• klemcijada
  I find it weird it's not placed in a home on any image. Does it not fit into any aesthetic or they don't actually know where to place it?
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  waterheater
  Separating the camera and microphone data processing functionality into a Secure Exclave should be seen as a genuinely important step forward to protecting privacy, not just implementing data control schemes which masquerade under the name of "privacy." This approach should be the norm moving forward, as cameras and microphones provide the biggest issues for privacy.With this established, it becomes possible to envision a Secure Exclave which handles data from _all_ device sensors, not just cameras and microphones. The Secure Exclave will contain all sensor data processing functions, which will feed the information to the OS. With the processing capabilities of sensor data being unalterable by any web-connected actor, and by building a physical interface for processing capability updating, unwelcome perception becomes impossible, thereby solving the privacy problem.
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  mithr
  I can't believe they haven't redesigned the Home app interface! I've always thought it was pretty terrible UX-wise and looked like they just threw together a very basic UI to have some support for home automation. I always expected they'd get around to formulating an actual design perspective for what a good-looking smart home control interface may look like, and this seemed like a perfect opportunity for that. I guess not.That being said, I still think this is cool, and I'm glad Apple's spending more effort in this area. I won't replace my custom HA dashboard with it at this point, but may get my parents one.
• tkdb
  Nice very Apple-esque thrust to unify and refine a chaotic field of tech into an elegant experience.I cannot fathom how this will deliver on the vision when Siri, even the new gemini-under-the-hood Siri, is still maddeningly, bafflingly worthless. To be fair, Gemini, for a consumer of the google ecosystem, is also maddeningly, bafflingly worthless. So we use ChatGPT or Claude, with extremely limited access to the tiny little shortcuts that stack up and make absolute magic for the personal AI assistant.
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  lxgr
  Looks nice, unfortunately I'll have to stick with however Google's alternative is currently called since Google Cast is the strictly better model for these types of devices in my view, compared to Airplay.Google Cast runs the player on the cast target and only uses the device that initiates playback as an optional remote control that can be disconnected without interrupting streaming.Airplay requires the controlling device to remain available throughout, in my experience; receiving a phone call, watching other media etc. on my phone isn't possible without interrupting playback. (This might have changed in one of the last versions, but that needs app support, and not knowing what to expect on a per app basis is at least as bad, if not worse.)
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  paulpan
  Feels like the wrong approach. Why not just create a docking station for the iPad and a software docking view? Identical to Google's approach with the Pixel Tablet but Apple's superior will be more refined. It even uses the A18 SoC!At $299 this feels like a very niche product with limited functionality.
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  vessenes
  This is a nice design, and a very aggressive price. I like the design enough I'm interpreting that price as a sign Apple's serious about getting these into a lot of homes.. I wasn't thinking I'd buy one of these, but I changed my mind looking at the pitch -- at this price it's sort of a 'hmm, I could imagine wanting one of those in X room'.I'm curious if this is intended to act as a matter hub -- right now a lot of that load is shouldered by an Apple TV 4K if you've got one. Anyway, apple's home automation story has been terrible for ten years, but this device makes me think they will make another serious run in the next five.
• Darwins_Toffees
  It's not even a very functional size. Honestly makes me go why not just get a phone charging mount by my HomePod in the kitchen and save $300. Plus add on a mount and charger and it's $400. No thanks
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  usernametaken29
  > Private for allLiterally the first thing that I thought opening this was: “oh great even more spyware in my home” haha. Sure, let’s mount every centimetre with cameras and smart TVs. Even if we buy the premise that there’s no bad intentions, negligence, incompetence and malignant actors can use every iot device as another vector to bug you…
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  timpera
  > Apple HomeView is not available for sale in the European Union, as Siri AI is currently unavailable in iOS in the EU. Apple is working constructively with the EU in an attempt to find a path forward.It's interesting that they consider that this product would be unusable without Siri AI. I've used a Google Nest Hub for years, and I don't think it needs AI to be useful?
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  cromka
  The product ad (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkrYiZ_g9tw) is amazing, honestly, and I can't think of any other brand that has this kind of "feeling". Most other just copy this style, like Google or Microsoft, but they just don't have the "coolness". And I am not saying Apple is the ultimate cool, just that from all big tech, they're consistently the best of them.
• tyre
  It would be great if this could also be a thermostat. For $300 you could get rid of Nest (etc) while adding all of these other use cases.
• thegagne
  So these are cool, especially for families and grandparents, but I think it may be a much better experience for fully Apple families.Like can you do video calling with Google Meet with one of these? Probably not.It pulls in CarPlay apps, but I’m sure not Android Auto.That being said, I think this is a smart play and helps Apple ensure the “Apple Experience.”My take is they should sell these at a loss for a while as it makes their ecosystem more sticky and also viral.In order to use one properly you basically have to have an iPhone, and so people who buy these will never move to Android, and everyone in their household benefits from the integrations.
• mleo
  I’ve had one Echo device or multiple around the house since they launched. several years ago I whittled it down to one Echo Show in the kitchen. I like the screen just being there on the counter with timers and easily visible. I can finally retire this ad machine and be Alexa free.I stopped using the smart home features of echo since it was too cumbersome to go in and readjust all devices for use by one thing or troubleshooting when there was problems. HomeKit is visible across 20 devices used by a family of 5 and made sense to expose all my devices through it.I just vibe coded the UI and backend services for a 10 inch, soon to be wall mounted, raspberry pi panel integrated with HomeSeer and UniFi. It switches to the door camera automatically when motion is detected. I added a status screen with important items such as state of door locks, washer, dryer, dishwasher and litter boxes. Very bespoke to my house and family. I will have to see what the ongoing cost of maintenance is of my panel vs HomeView device.
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  santah
  It's shocking to me it doesn't support apps from the AppStore nor any kind of (video) media streaming.Otherwise looks like an ideal kitchen TV/Movie playback device.
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  throw03172019
  I don’t really understand why we need this. Why another screen? iPhones, iPads, Mac’s and now another one for the kitchen.
• unsupp0rted
  Did you see the ad they released for this?It’s a toxic family, where the dad is a useless weak loser (whose wife won’t touch him, much less show any physical affection when heading off to work, so they’re platonic roommates at best), the son is a toxic male idiot who imposes his will on others, and the mom has OCD.It’s the most pro childfree ad that’s ever been “aired” at this level of distribution.Whatever Apple was… it no longer is that. Their tech may be fine, we’ll see, but their values, err what was left of them, are not merely gone but inverted
• mmmlinux
  A lot of people in the "just use an iPad" camp seem to not understand that this has enough speaker to actually fill a room with other noises going on. I'm not trying to listen to music blasted from an iPad while I'm cooking.
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  skhameneh
  I find it so weird the wall mounted version is a different product, it seems like a lost opportunity to do more interesting things with a speaker base.
• great_wubwub
  Cius but by Apple! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cisco_Cius
• azuanrb
  Anything powered by Siri is pretty much a failed product to me right now. I’ve been using the new Siri for a while, and it’s okay, but it still fails on most of my requests.Maybe it’s my accent? But ChatGPT and Claude have no trouble understanding what I’m saying, so I’m not sure what the issue is.I saw some discussion about potentially being able to use ChatGPT or Claude as Siri’s backend instead of Apple Intelligence. That would be much more interesting to me.
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  cogogo
  I kind of like the idea of this for a home phone replacement and a good way for our family to communicate as we get more comfortable with leaving the kids home alone. But it won’t be able to call 911 and I do not trust it.Makes me even happier I just installed a red wall phone with an armored cable and signed up for ooma’s cheap plan. 911 access and we have no need for whitelisting. Always have outgoing and default to ringer off. Can turn it on (satisfying slider) if we are leaving the kids for a bit and they can have fun hanging up on any spam while we are out.
• ptmkenny
  I have no need at all for a device like this, but I love the iMac G4 vibes. That was probably my favorite Mac of all time--the screen, which was mounted on an arm of the future that was anchored by the round base that housed DVD drive, moved so smoothly that you could adjust the display with your pinky.
• dylan-m
  The thing on the stand is goofy, partly because it's like a large Apple Watch. Especially goofy when it's pictured with a hand, and it isn't actually all that big. But their wall mounted design looks interesting, kind of for the same reason? Aesthetically it immediately makes me think of a wall clock, which tells me exactly where it belongs. I kind of feel like they should lead with that one. (Although maybe they should be honest that it obviously needs a power cable).
• jgbuddy
  I can't put my finger on why exactly, but HomeView, iphone duo, and vision pro all seem like areas where apple could've innovated further, but didn't, and end up looking the same as existing hardware with apple software being the differentiator. Maybe other companies just started making hardware the way apple does, who knows. but these products feel very bland.
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  tantalor
  Apple is pretty late to the smart display market. We have had these devices around for almost a decade now. - Echo Show: 2017 - Nest Hub: 2018 - HomeView: 2026 The existing products have been through multiple generations and have differentiated into different sizes, features, and formats.
• yesimahuman
  Hmm. I'm currently looking to update my Alexa echo dot combined with a wall-mounted iPad connected to my Home Assistant instance. I don't really know if this thing is what I should get instead of waiting for a Home Pod update and using that for voice with my existing iPad display. Maybe it could be useful as a condensed UI for some important Home Assistant entities I link into HomeKit? Can it be powered through PoE which I already have set up for the iPad? (edit: yes, looks like a PoE adapter is coming for $130). But if I get the non-wall mounted version I can replace my bluetooth speaker for music. I just hope it supports more than just core Apple apps because I don't really use those. For $299 I might just pick it up for fun and see how it works for me (edit: I pre-ordered the regular non-wall mounted one)
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  pelagicAustral
  The only viable use-case I see for it is having one in every room of the house playing the Godfather part 1, 24/7 in a loop.
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  apparent
  If it auto-rotated to face the person speaking, that would make it much more useful. Having to manually move the thing around (especially in the kitchen, where your hands are likely to be dirty) doesn't seem great.
• HumblyTossed
  I dunno. That's what an Ipad is for? Also, this push into home automation. I don't want some 4T lb gorilla in that space. That should remain as open as possible and Apple just isn't known for open.
• lynndotpy
  Even in their cherry-picked examples on their site, Apple's Liquid Glass design language renders some of the text illegible.It doesn't help that this only gets up to 500 nits...> comfortable viewing in any light. Brightness ranges from 500 nits for sunny rooms to our lowest-ever 0.3 nits for the bedside
• alistairSH
  Bummer that this can't double as a security camera itself. Would have been neat to hang one on the wall near each exterior door as a control panel + camera.
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  sajithdilshan
  I wonder if someone can just vibecode an app for iPad mini to do the same things as HomeView and just mount it on the wall or have a 3D printed stand for it.Also the most unrealistic part about the intro video by apple for this was that not a single person in the kitchen was on their phone and was waiting their turn to use this thing. Do iPhones doesn't exists on the universe where they filmed that ad?
• mv4
  I love Apple but I don't love this new device.I recently got a 10in fire tablet for $73 and a metal stand for $7, and put it on the kitchen counter. Great household device, now running my own agent on it - fun for the whole family.
• schainks
  Quick show of hands: who would use this to help with cooking hands free or FaceTiming people while doing dishes?
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  worldsavior
  They just ran out of ideas, or just looking for more ways to squeeze some money. What's wrong with an iPad??
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  CameronBanga
  Most interesting part to me here is that the announcement notes that the A18 has "Secure Enclaves". Is this the first "plural" use of Secure Enclave? Is it needed for multi-user?
• pjbk
  For a moment I thought I clicked on a parody web site.
• shwaj
  “Meet the new heart of your home”. Move over, hearts of the actual people in your home, and the love between them: we’ve got a new gadget.
• gwbas1c
  I think this is supposed to behave like HAL from 2001 or otherwise like 1960's sci-fi style AI where a house has a computer that people have conversations with.Otherwise, I'm having trouble understanding why I would use something like this. Is it because it's too hard to pull my phone out of my pocket, so I just need to speak to an ever-present computer?
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  rahimnathwani
  When I read it was multi-user, I got excited, but then realized that it assumes each user already has an iPhone and/or iPad.It's a shame that iPhoneOS, iPadOS and Omarchy are designed to be single-user devices.Android phones (at least Pixels) support multiple users, each with their own apps and data.
• infinia2
  Its an iPad with a cord and larger microphone
• gizmodo59
  I'd totally buy this if it supports other AI providers and apps! I trust Apple for the hardware quality
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  rramon
  Apple is literally cooking for non tech savvy seniors it seems. More or less a locked down foolproof iPad on a stand.
• haritha-j
  I watched their demo video of a family getting ready, and it just makes me feel liek this device is an intrusion into my life. If you take a second to think about each of the use cases they demonstrate, you start to realise they pretty much add nothing to your life. Maybe it'll save you a few seconds in the morning by not having to get the door or find a paper recipe, but all of those things make the activity more enjoyable IMO. I'd wanna watch that kid at the door squirm in real life, not spy on him with a camera. Meh, maybe I'm old fashioned.
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  kirykl
  If they gave this a battery, removed the base, and allowed apps boy that would be a killer product
• vintagedave
  I love the callout to the classic lampshade Mac. I would love them to bring that back one day. I use one as a music machine -- driving the classic clear acrylic Harmon Kardon column speakers, essentially using a machine I could never had had back in 2004.
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  nerdjon
  Well, I have to say I expected this to cost more.I would want to hear what the sound is like but it seems like it could be a good replacement for my OG HomePods while adding some new features, even if the screen is minimally useful.I am a bit sad that it seems like it isnt using anything the video apple put out about https://machinelearning.apple.com/research/elegnt-expressive...I would love to see them open up an app store for this, or even if it is apps tied to your phone like the Apple Watch.
• pokstad
  Wish this came with MagSafe so my toddler doesn’t rip this off our island.
• comandillos
  I was waiting for Apple to release something privacy-focused and instead they have decided not to release in Europe because 'it lacks AI'. You know what, all yours, I guess I will just buy an old Alexa and hack it.
• gizajob
  So it’s an iPhone but it’s stuck to your kitchen table? Where everyone at the table has an iPhone?
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  sdcfgy
  So is this 1984 (surveillance) or Brave New World (distraction)?
• jawiggins
  This seems like a really interesting view of the future of HCI. Imagine this device but with an LLM that dynamically generates interfaces from the voice/video input it gets. I think the future will be a bit like the movie Her but with devices like this as the common-area screen people look at.
• at1as
  Better Siri AI is one month away (... and seemingly always will be)
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  nevi-me
  Square screen is a no from me. I'm overall tired of the Google ecosystem, and I want to replace our Nest Hubs with something else. I was hoping Apple would come out with something large enough for wife and the kids to use when we're not in the tv room. :(
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  nitin7
  Looks nice. I wonder why Apple is so hung up on clear liquid glass - https://www.apple.com/v/apple-homeview/a/images/overview/hig...
• anianroid
  osborne effect
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  taude
  I'm curious how they settled on the square shape, instead of a traditional photo frame shape. I know they're differentiating. But If I were to replace my Aura frames (we have several), I'd want a different aspect ratio.Maybe i just need a $300 iPad Mini....
• JSR_FDED
  The locked down nature of this makes it perfect for my dad. If there’s a way to connect it to WhatsApp that would be brilliant.
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  mkirsten
  BTW - I was expecting a "Welcome Home" keynote/event where this would be presented. Is it just to me it is a surprise they updated the website ahead of the event?
• locusofself
  I wonder how good it sounds. I could see my kid using this for Spotify, I current have to keep reminding her to AirPlay her iPad to our old homepods so she isn't always listening to tiny, shrill audio.
• donatj
  > You can have up to six members of the household enrolled on Apple HomeView through the Home app. They each must have an Apple Account and an iPhone or iPad running the latest software.I assume my kids will be able to use it without an iPhone?
• clickety_clack
  I got an iPad mini a few years ago and tried to use it like this. There’s almost no actual utility to it that “Siri set a timer for 12 minutes” or “Siri what’s the weather like” doesn’t already do on my phone.
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  amelius
  This is more a thing for hobbyists to build using their RPi's etc. and post as "Show HN".Sad to see this space now taken over by Apple too.Oh well, I now have something to buy for my mom for Christmas, I guess.
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  bertili
  Not clear if it can run iOS apps at all?
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  albert_e
  Has anyone successfully jailbroken Amazon Echo and Google Home devices to make them Claude/ChatGPT assistants without any telemetry/dependency on Amazon/Google respectively.
• subpixel
  The video that purports to depict how this device would be used is not an advertisement as much as a warning of how mad things can get. Any curiosity I had about this product has been eradicated from my mind.
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  fhn
  Here's their biggest competitor: 3d print a stand, place iphone or ipad on it - greater functionality plus it's mobile! You're welcome.
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  deweywsu
  Weird that Amazon was said to have planned to cut back it's hardware development recently (Alexa devices), and here Apple is rolling out a new product in the same space.
• balozi
  It has that "version 1" aesthetic of anything Apple makes. Now that they have shown it to the world, we should all agree that Apple can skip to their version 4 design.
• cj00
  I built a generative UI app for Apple TV over the weekend. It lets any agent send notifications, questions and media to any of my Apple TVs. Putting it on this device would be perfect, hopefully they let developers start doing third part apps soon.
• carlosjobim
  Could Apple sell this as a cash register for businesses such as cafés, small hotels, and such?The format is right, it is stuck to a power cord, it would integrate with iPhones that waiters use to take orders, it apparently has a USB-C connector perhaps for a receipt printer, it has Bluetooth and WiFi of course. It can control the music and security systems and lights in a business locale.Most importantly it has easy separate login for different employees.And the price is just right.Is there any important detail I haven't thought about?
• m4tthumphrey
  I like the idea of this but what can we actually use it for? Doesn't look like it will support Spotify or YouTube? Does it worth with Hive (British Gas smart heating) ?
• dhsysusbsjsi
  Today I asked Siri a basic question hands free whilst driving and it said “I found these on the web”.I’ve been with Apple since the first iPhone but I think I’m done. They have dropped the ball on AI. It’s late 2026 and my Opus 5.5 does all my coding and Siri still can’t find info and read back some basic info. Pathetic it’s like they’re not even trying any more.
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  Shalomboy
  Oh no, John Apple has committed the classic IoT blunder of building the Facebook Portal.
• harrouet
  HomeView does two things:- a Home Hub to connect and drive the accessories and Airplay devices in your house- a UI to support the user experienceI believe that e.g. an AppleTV is already a Home Hub, and the Home app on your iPhone / iPad gives you control over it.So the value is in the integration and the multi-user support.
• bigblind
  So, it's not launching in the EU, again because of DMA rules and Apple not giving access to the same tools to 3rd-party AI companies.I get this, but I find the difference in application of the DMA pretty weird. In august, the EU came to an agreement with Apple on their developer policy in a way that still really feels like it goes against the spirit of the law, and still puts an insane tax on thousands of European developers.Yet they seem to play hardball on enforcing a rule that currently just negatively impacts a handful of AI companies but leaves consumers waiting for features. The prioritization feels weird.
• ogkarlin
  Idk, I would avoid vendor lock in for my family. Apple’s closed ecosystem just won’t work. Its AI integrations are disappointing at the very least.My money is with Fambot.
• hypfer
  I've been quite happy with used Amazon Echo Shows running Lineage.They offer more or less this, but do so at a fraction of the price and a lot more "hacker-native".
• alanwreath
  Change that ugly base - wall mounts are nice but dangling cords are not.
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  chromatin
  Yes but can my younger children without Apple IDs (or personal devices) also access it / use it?
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  juiceland
  This device feels so late to the game that I’m not sure why Apple is bothering. Amazon entered this market segment 9 and a half years ago.
• lqcfcjx
  i feel this could be a good fit for grandmas. not for audience here. i can imagine my mom would love it.
• wopwops
  I'm slipping further and further away from what "normal" people consider acceptable.
• goosejuice
  Man, that speaker dock is hideous. If it rotated to follow you though... Your own little telescreen
• gyomu
  So weird. A brand new product category, and it gets dropped with the HomePod Mini/Apple TV, aka Apple’s most neglected products (besides the zombified Vision Pro). Apple has a history of being so proud of their new form factors, of wanting to show them with pomp and highlighting every little detail. Not so much here.Also completely locked out for 3rd party developers, needs your iPhone to do anything while offering very little reason to do things on it rather than on your phone… (the teenage girl texting on it rather than her phone in the intro video is totally unbelievable)Hmm, really hard to figure out what they’re thinking on this besides “throw it on the wall and see if it sticks”, aka the HomePod & Apple TV strategy, which is not reassuring. I bought a couple HomePods early on, excited by the potential given how reliable my AirPods were, and they’ve been one of my most hated tech purchases. Super buggy, completely lagging behind in terms of basic features, and of course no fallback to use them as “dumb” wired speakers.
• geuis
  Passing opinion, but I hope this isn't indicating a lean in direction to 90's era Apple now that Tim retired. Too many overpriced skews and non-core products that diluted the brand and led to their market shrinking.
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  profsummergig
  Have they solved the problem where a cheating husband's texts with his mistress on his iPhone used to show up on his wife's iPad?
• duxup
  I bought it.Low enough price for me to be speculative. I go hunting for my iPad to frag it in the kitchen… often.
• seemaze
  As someone who's been in the home automation scene for decades, the only thing that excites me from this release is first party recipe scraping in Safari.
• summermusic
  Why not just make an iPad dock to use the device you already have? The Pixel Tablet with its magnetic docking station was the perfect form factor for this. Home control tablet when docked, and simply lift it off the dock and take it around the house for whatever.
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  eugenekolo
  No mention of the RAM size.Thinking if the RAM is good, this is a great jailbreak target with an A18 chip for only $299.
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  JaxonZhou
  Although I really like past Apple products, the appearance of this one strikes me as a bit odd.
• noja
  Note the positioning for this is different: imperfect family, non-pristine home, dirty clothes.
• anon
  undefined
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  JaneLovesDotNet
  I kind of assumed it would rotate automatically based on where the person is speaking from? isn't that a missed trick? or too hard to get right?
• anon
  undefined
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  SomeonesAccount
  I wonder if this works as a screen mirroring device, so you could mirror your iPad to this device. Wouldn't work very well, but that might be a way to watch media
• quantumwannabe
  This would be an awesome product if Siri AI wasn't terrible. At least this will force Google to reinvest in the Nest Hub; Gemini is a far nicer model.
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  peesem
  apple's usb-c port placement strikes again. the port for the wall-mounted one is apparently in the middle of the back, so you'll have to take it off the wall or risk damaging your usb-c cables by trying to keep them between the device and the wall. if it was just on the bottom (like an iphone or ipad) you could leave it hanging there while plugged in to a nearby outlet
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  small_model
  Siri though, why not allow Claude, openai or Grok as the assistant.
• fusslo
  can iphones or ipads already 'recognize up to 6 people' like this thing can??THe video has the girl check her messages and her brother trying to read them, and the mother checking her calendar. Without logging in or switching users.That's really cool.
• tqi
  None of these use cases are better on a device with a fixed location.
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  wpwpwpw
  Still don't get what can these devices do that a phone can't.
• cfontes
  I am not the public for this.I have no reason to own this, neither my family.I am also not into smart watches, rings, alexa dot and other stuff like that, I like a dump house for the most part.I am a dev and this looks like another Smartphone I don't want to own.
• adithyassekhar
  The screen is a bit small. One has to hunch down and really want to use it.
• amelius
  Yes this is easy to build using AI now.
• anon
  undefined
• imranhossainemi
  Facebook/meta had similar product few years ago.
• fis
  This sounds a lot like the Telescreen from 1984.
• pmkary
  I thought this would be their big announcement...
• alanwreath
  so this doesn't function as a security camera too?
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  elohimus
  Smart Home devices feel somewhat antithetical to Apple's Philosophy. Aren't they all about a smoothly integrating, tightly controlled ecosystem? Offering something that connects a potentially large amount of third party devices, protocols and homecooked solutions feels odd for apple.
• esskay
  what a weird product. I'm all in on the Apple ecosystem but this seems like an obvious miss. Presumably the low price point is because its internals are incredibly basic, i mean its just not got a lot to do really has it so doesnt need anything other than probably a bunch of old binned chips.
• ElFitz
  I fail to see why I should care.But maybe that’s just me?
• anon
  undefined
• alicelik1980
  It's very stylish. The design is beautiful, but does it meet any need?
• uptown
  The Skylight market is ripe for an Apple replacement. This looks like it falls way short.
• misterboo72
  What would I do with this thing?
• speedgoose
  > The privacy every home and everyone deserves.Sure.
• bubbluppugus
  Hey look it's the half-basketball iMac without the cool arm which a gadget like this should haveDropped the ball on the usability there with no arm. Could have also marketed a table game function; placed at center of table, arm could allow screen to swivel 360 for everyone to use as neededThe iOS-ification of hardware while they keep part prices high to get people hooked on networked AI over a dumb terminal
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  mindwork
  How come wall-mounted version costs the same as domed version?
• browningstreet
  It’d be nice if the AppleTV had some of these features.
• crooked-v
  I already tried having more than one HomePod and ran into constant issues with the wrong one answer. How it is supposed to work having both this and the new acts-like-a-HomePod Apple TV?
• albert_e
  First impressions -- i do not quite like the physical product's shape and look.
• ogkarlin
  Apple has really missed the mark lately. I would avoid mediocre AI and skip the vendor lockin. My money is with Fambot.
• pbrum
  Nonstarter without YouTube and WhatsApp access
• Aboutplants
  Well this was not what I was expecting, and that is not a good thing
• Mindwipe
  The main thing this makes me feel is "why doesn't the iPad recognise the user by FaceID and give my five year old the appropriate experience and block my apps if this can?"Which is perhaps not the feeling Apple intended.
• xd1936
  Some chonky bezel. Not hard to imagine how gen 2 will look.
• neillyons
  Just speculating, but I suspect Apple are releasing this because Jony Ive and OpenAI are working on something similar.
• gedasss
  That pace shown in their video... no thanks.
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  tomaskafka
  Isn’t is amazing how Apple’s answer to having five kids is consistently “pick the one to single out”, without having any process at all for making an exception?They somehow missed the memo that Sophia’s choice wasn’t an operating manual.I mean, I’m single indie developer and I have a process to give a lifetime membership to people’s significant others (as Apple has nothing between “a single person” vs “a whole family”, and no option to give eg. discounted bundles for couples), so it doesn’t seem like a rocket science.
• gigel82
  They're getting desperate for more user data... and the funny thing is folks will likely line up to buy and install this TeleScreen 84 in their home like they did for the original Alexa... we're all doomed.
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  mmmlinux
  I'm honestly tempted to replace the HomePod Mini that lives in my kitchen with one of these. I wouldn't have to stick my phone to the magnetic knife holder to watch videos while I cook.
• ex-aws-dude
  Guys apple didn't invent this form factor, Alexa had Echo Show 10 at least 5 years ago and alexa with a screen way before that
• carlosjobim
  Clever marketing video with the whole "family" interacting around the device.A video with how customers will use this in real life, alone in a room talking to a machine - would just look like somebody who needs to be taken to a mental asylum.
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  joshstrange
  Meh.An incredibly locked down device from a manufacturer with terrible track record for this category of device. Their Homepod line has been completely neglected, even with the Mini 2 announcement today it's clear Apple's heart's not in it.Couple that with the LG trash they are pushing (again, because Apple doesn't care) and it's clear Apple's HomeKit endeavors are still just as dead as they were yesterday. They ceded the home wifi space at the worst possible time and instead of trying to rectify any of that, they ignored that space for over a decade.
• XCSme
  So, a tablet?
• busymom0
  Looks like a huge Apple Watch to me.
• nsxwolf
  This is the return of the 1980s kitchen TV.
• EDC9599190
  Who else is just happy to see modern homage to the iMac G4?https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMac_G4But seriously, how cool would it be if V2 of this product had mesh wifi and/or could be used in bridge mode?
• manoDev
  Nice try NSA.
• jonstewart
  The product film is triggering.
• m3kw9
  For those worred about no apps, they 99.99% likely will have apps(I don't work there but I work enough in the ecosystem), but must be specifically designed to fit that form factor like Apple TV/Vision pro/Apple Watch, with their own shared and exclusive API. Tightly controlled UI/privacy/UX. I'd imagine there is a quick path from going from AppleWatch to this.Is iffy if they will allow a run it like on iPad but you see iphone form factor on it. The UX likely suck bad if they go ahead and takes away from the form factor. Plus companies like FB may just leave it at that like how they did with instagram for ipad for a decade.
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  allarm
  Can I run HomeAssistant in Kiosk mode on this thing? The only use case I can think of.
• m3kw9
  How are they pricing both versions the same while charging extra 80$ for the mount for the wall mounted version? I thought it was a pricing error and some needs their head checked either way
• scotty79
  That could have been a phone/tablet dock.
• BonoboIO
  This will get the same attention from apple as the HomePods … zero
• Invictus0
  Looks so soulless. I really prefer Google's approach with the fabric textures.
• blahblah437
  Can we load Muse into it? There is no way I'm buying this to use Siri.
• Vaslo
  Wonder if there will be a way to hack it in the future with Home Assistant or some Linux distro to get HA onto it.
• esafak
  Finally, something I can drop kick my Googles for the next time they say Sorry, I'm still learning.
• maddmann
  lol what the heck is this apple?! Crazy that they investing in something like this internally :/
• shantara
  “Certain Apple Intelligence features that rely on server-side models are subject to daily usage limits. Expanded access to such features will be available for a fee in the future”
• mattmaroon
  Oh great, now Siri can fail to help me in any room in my house!
• baggy_trough
  I wonder what 'Apps Available from iPhone' means on their tech specs page. For example, the Apple TV app.
• blondie9x
  Can they just iterate on the HomePod? I want less screen time. Not more.
• xyst
  It’s an iPad mini with an always listening microphone.Apple really wants their own "own the glass" moment.On the product itself, why?Apple Home.app has an awful UX. Have any more than 10+ IoT devices and it’s a shit show. This will not improve the walled in system created by Apple. Even if I was Apple-pilled or Apple-maxxing, why wouldn’t I just buy a last gen iPad mini and use that to control home. Has all the features of "HomeView" plus acts as a regular device that can browse web, video chat, and games.Plus any home automation enthusiast will use home assistant and integrate it with their existing thread border router and Zigbee/Matter/Thread enabled device. Who are they trying to target?
• dominotw
  i thought the ipad rotates by itself on the gimbal. video was so lame with ppl turning it akwards and device flopping around. wow what piece of garbage.
• embedding-shape
  > Siri AI. A personal assistant that helps you find what you need and get more done.1> Usage limits may apply.What a great way to start out, to openly flag that people shouldn't rely on it, as it can be pulled away from you without notice. Feels very atypical of Apple, are they starting to get short on cash or what's going on?
• lotsofpulp
  iPhone 13 mini, ios 27.0.1, and Siri turned on the ceiling fan along with the lights when I asked Siri to turn on the bedroom lights. Don’t see any reason to believe Siri claims.
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  diath
  So it's like a worse iPad with a mount?
• anon
  undefined
• ulfw
  Who are these fake ad people who live "the Apple life"?Seriously?I know nobody who has only friends on Facetime (instead of Whatsapp, Wechat, LINE, Zoom, etc etc you name it)No Youtube, really?!I mean who lives like this?
• nor0x
  is it just me - or are the glasses of the mother in the ad very prominently featured
• bdcravens
  Despite the typical snark on HN, I know there are still plenty who are bought in to Apple. Is anyone here using the HomePod and/or using Homekit? I'm mostly on board with the Apple ecosystem, and in my assessment when trying to outfit my home, I couldn't find a reason (maybe the privacy store is better) to choose them over Alexa or Google Home or any of the other options, including DIY.
• naravara
  The copy on this page doesn’t feel “Apple” to me.“Apple HomeView is designed to bring more joy and convenience to everyone in your household. Siri AI comes built in for personalized AI assistance that’s truly useful in your everyday life. And with a vibrant display and powerful acoustics, your music, videos, and calls look and sound amazing. Meet the new heart of your home.”Is “designed to” lacks confidence. Does it do it or not? I don’t care what your intention was. And the Siri AI sentence is vacuous, including the pointless modifiers (truly useful in your everyday life). You can’t convince me you care or put effort into the little things when your ad copy is slop. Apple used to put more thought into this sort of thing.
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  aslkalska
  wait what? why is Apple doing what google and amazon did 10 years ago ?!
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  drcongo
  If only the Home app wasn't complete shit.
• 2OEH8eoCRo0
  Another surveillance ad billboard! Think different!
• jostmey
  [dead]
• theroo
  This comment section is full of vibes akin to Dropnbox "this can be built easily with fUSE/ftp sync". "It's just an iPad". This'll be a hit.