Apple introduced HomeView on October 13, a seven-inch display for controlling cameras, lighting, thermostats and door locks. The $299 device sits on a counter or mounts to a wall, with availability beginning November 13.
One screen for different people
HomeView recognizes up to six enrolled residents and shows each person a personalized screen. Apple says sensitive information appears only when the recognized user’s paired iPhone or iPad is nearby and has recently been unlocked.
The display also handles FaceTime, music, Siri AI and household automations. It works with compatible devices and the new Apple Home Collection.
A shared screen that knows who is using it is an important shift from one generic dashboard for an entire household. But recognizing a resident does not by itself resolve competing preferences about room temperature, lighting or privacy. Apple’s claims have not yet been independently tested in occupied homes.