Apple HomeView

A long-rumored Apple HomeView is finally revealed and I’m a bit disappointed.

First, and foremost, it won’t be available in the EU until Apple and the European Commission clarify AI-related policies. So, even if I wanted, I couldn’t buy it.

But I’m sure soon or later, this will be resolved. Would I buy it then?

For $299 it should offer something, that a cheap Android tablet running Home Assistant dashboard can’t. And honestly, I don’t know what it could be for me. (Given that my iPhone is always with me)

I already have a good sound system, so I’m not interested in another speaker. I don’t have security cameras, so I don’t need this functionality either.

What’s left is a glorified widget dashboard, which I already have set up on my iPhone and (partially) on my Apple Watch.

I’d wish there were apps to customize the experience, but no, at least for now there is no App Store on HomeView.

Alongside the HomeView a collection of smart home accessories was announced. However, I prefer devices working on industry standards like Matter (over Thread) and Zigbee. There are good-quality ones, for a fraction of the cost of these.

And, finally, I don’t get why the wall mounted HomeView cost the same as tabletop version, and at the same time it lacks the base and charger and also requires a mount starting at $59. This makes it more expensive but less featured. How could that be?

I want to want a HomeView, but so far I don’t.

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