{"id":92733,"date":"2026-10-14T03:10:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T19:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=92733"},"modified":"2026-10-14T03:10:00","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T19:10:00","slug":"apples-new-smart-home-hub-is-called-homeview-and-it-costs-considerably-less-than-what-i-was-expecting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=92733","title":{"rendered":"Apple\u2019s new smart home hub is called HomeView, and it costs considerably less than what I was expecting\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<p class=\"_base_1s8rd_1 _default_1s8rd_12\">It\u2019s been rumoured for years, and now it\u2019s finally official. Apple\u2019s smart home hub has just been announced, and it\u2019s called <b>HomeView<\/b>. The name is apt because it features a display and it\u2019s supposed to be a device that helps manage all your smart home accessories.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"_base_1pos7_1 _tiktok_1pos7_32\" title=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed\/v2\/7696144867667283218\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.5625\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<section class=\"_expanded_lwxdk_22\"><button class=\"_title_lwxdk_1\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"_base_1s8rd_1 _default_1s8rd_12\">Article jumplist<\/p>\n<p><default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"9\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\"><default:path d=\"M1 1L9 8L17 1\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><\/default:svg><\/button><\/p>\n<ol class=\"_list_lwxdk_28\">\n<li class=\"_listItem_lwxdk_71\">1. <!-- -->Comes in two variants<\/li>\n<li class=\"_listItem_lwxdk_71\">2. <!-- -->What can it do?<\/li>\n<li class=\"_listItem_lwxdk_71\">3. <!-- -->First impressions<\/li>\n<li class=\"_listItem_lwxdk_71\">4. <!-- -->Availability and pricing<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<h2 id=\"comes-in-two-variants\" class=\"_subHeading1_1k87u_111 _base_1k87u_1\">Comes in two variants<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"_figure_wioo3_1\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"_base_1sb7q_1\" alt=\"Apple HomeView wall-mount and faces\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1125\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/d0b9dc0b1241c412d19378abae7e085adb064074787f49056bb52dc875f5692d?w=500&amp;q=85 500w,https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/d0b9dc0b1241c412d19378abae7e085adb064074787f49056bb52dc875f5692d?w=800&amp;q=85 800w,https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/d0b9dc0b1241c412d19378abae7e085adb064074787f49056bb52dc875f5692d?w=1000&amp;q=85 1000w,https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/d0b9dc0b1241c412d19378abae7e085adb064074787f49056bb52dc875f5692d?w=2000&amp;q=85 2000w\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/d0b9dc0b1241c412d19378abae7e085adb064074787f49056bb52dc875f5692d?w=1000&amp;q=85\" style=\"--custom-aspect-ratio:1.7777777777777777;contain-intrinsic-size:2000px 1125px\"\/><figcaption class=\"_figureCaptions_wioo3_158\">\n<p class=\"_imageCaption_wioo3_165\">There will also be a wall-mounted version. Note also the customisable faces.<\/p>\n<p>Photo: Apple<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"_base_1s8rd_1 _default_1s8rd_12\">To start, it features a <b>7-inch Liquid Retina touch display<\/b> mounted on an adjustable arm connected to a metal speaker base. The display has an almost square aspect ratio so it\u2019s larger than what the specs suggest. Peak brightness is 500 nits, and it can go as dim as just 0.3 nits. The latter figure is important because it allows it to function as a bedside clock without being so bright as to disrupt sleep.<\/p>\n<p class=\"_base_1s8rd_1 _default_1s8rd_12\">There is also a wall-mounted version, but that obviously loses the metal speaker base and so won\u2019t sound quite as good. Apart from that, the two are functionally identical.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-can-it-do-\" class=\"_subHeading1_1k87u_111 _base_1k87u_1\">What can it do?<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"_figure_wioo3_1\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"_base_1sb7q_1\" alt=\"Apple HomeView Siri AI\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto\" width=\"1140\" height=\"760\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/9ac494983009ca8b5cdeca3645049ecbe4b205ec540c8a7c3aab6f6ef4bfcf44?w=500&amp;q=85 500w,https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/9ac494983009ca8b5cdeca3645049ecbe4b205ec540c8a7c3aab6f6ef4bfcf44?w=800&amp;q=85 800w,https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/9ac494983009ca8b5cdeca3645049ecbe4b205ec540c8a7c3aab6f6ef4bfcf44?w=1000&amp;q=85 1000w,https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/9ac494983009ca8b5cdeca3645049ecbe4b205ec540c8a7c3aab6f6ef4bfcf44 1140w\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/9ac494983009ca8b5cdeca3645049ecbe4b205ec540c8a7c3aab6f6ef4bfcf44?w=1000&amp;q=85\" style=\"--custom-aspect-ratio:1.5;contain-intrinsic-size:1140px 760px\"\/><figcaption class=\"_figureCaptions_wioo3_158\">\n<p class=\"_imageCaption_wioo3_165\">With support for Siri AI, it has personal context understanding and can show a user\u2019s details like schedules and more.<\/p>\n<p>Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"_base_1s8rd_1 _default_1s8rd_12\">Mainly, Apple intends for HomeView to be a smart home hub, and <b>it will work with accessories that support Apple Home and HomeKit<\/b>. Apple also designed a collection of accessories with LG and Schneider Electric, but unfortunately these won\u2019t be available in Singapore just yet.<\/p>\n<p class=\"_base_1s8rd_1 _default_1s8rd_12\">There are two main ways to interact with HomeView: touch and view. Users can come up to the screen and use touch to operate it; or they can use voice. It supports Siri AI, so it can understand natural language commands better.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"_base_1s8rd_1 _default_1s8rd_12\">It also use facial recognition technology to tell who is using the device, and when it identifies a user, it can show that user\u2019s customised home screen. It locks the moment the user goes away, and won\u2019t allow someone else to view that user\u2019s personal contents. I saw this in action and process of unlocking and locking was very quick and seamless.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"_figure_wioo3_1\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"_base_1sb7q_1\" alt=\"Apple HomeView base\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto\" width=\"1140\" height=\"760\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/120a86021d9f09f6f0e84c8311a892bfebc04980814d41ca2294a7a97b620ee0?w=500&amp;q=85 500w,https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/120a86021d9f09f6f0e84c8311a892bfebc04980814d41ca2294a7a97b620ee0?w=800&amp;q=85 800w,https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/120a86021d9f09f6f0e84c8311a892bfebc04980814d41ca2294a7a97b620ee0?w=1000&amp;q=85 1000w,https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/120a86021d9f09f6f0e84c8311a892bfebc04980814d41ca2294a7a97b620ee0 1140w\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/120a86021d9f09f6f0e84c8311a892bfebc04980814d41ca2294a7a97b620ee0?w=1000&amp;q=85\" style=\"--custom-aspect-ratio:1.5;contain-intrinsic-size:1140px 760px\"\/><figcaption class=\"_figureCaptions_wioo3_158\">\n<p class=\"_imageCaption_wioo3_165\">The display features two full-range drivers while the base contains a down-firing woofer with two force-cancelling passive radiators.<\/p>\n<p>Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"_base_1s8rd_1 _default_1s8rd_12\">Apart from controlling smart home devices, users can use it to play music, take FaceTime calls, check their schedules, reply messages, and more. And because its lock screen can be customised, it can even act as a digital photo frame.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"_base_1s8rd_1 _default_1s8rd_12\">Apple thinks many users would put their HomeViews in kitchens \u2013 after all, it\u2019s a common gathering place for many families. So it has <b>a special cooking mode<\/b> where it can grab and process recipes online and present them in a step-by-step way, including prompting timers where required. For example, if the recipe states that you need to stir for five minutes, it can prompt you to start a five-minute timer when you are at that step.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"first-impressions\" class=\"_subHeading1_1k87u_111 _base_1k87u_1\">First impressions<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"_figure_wioo3_1\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"_base_1sb7q_1\" alt=\"Apple HomeView on table\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto\" width=\"1140\" height=\"760\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/c52ab0b1b61c56328182db1cddf4616ee50643d4c78d4b212b6729fbf2f884bc?w=500&amp;q=85 500w,https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/c52ab0b1b61c56328182db1cddf4616ee50643d4c78d4b212b6729fbf2f884bc?w=800&amp;q=85 800w,https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/c52ab0b1b61c56328182db1cddf4616ee50643d4c78d4b212b6729fbf2f884bc?w=1000&amp;q=85 1000w,https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/c52ab0b1b61c56328182db1cddf4616ee50643d4c78d4b212b6729fbf2f884bc 1140w\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/c52ab0b1b61c56328182db1cddf4616ee50643d4c78d4b212b6729fbf2f884bc?w=1000&amp;q=85\" style=\"--custom-aspect-ratio:1.5;contain-intrinsic-size:1140px 760px\"\/><figcaption class=\"_figureCaptions_wioo3_158\">\n<p class=\"_imageCaption_wioo3_165\">The HomeView looks chic and is priced attractively. I think most people will not mind having one even if it\u2019s just for decor.<\/p>\n<p>Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"_base_1s8rd_1 _default_1s8rd_12\">I had the chance to demo the device briefly and was impressed by its design. It\u2019s compact, but more importantly, it looks modern and chic. This is important because it will inevitably become a centrepiece of users\u2019 homes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"_base_1s8rd_1 _default_1s8rd_12\">The screen is larger than you expect, and <b>the sound it can produce is remarkable despite its rather diminutive size<\/b>. I only had a couple of minutes, but I think it sounds about as good as a HomePod mini. Certainly, it gets loud enough to fill even a pretty large living room I was in.<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"_base_1pos7_1 _tiktok_1pos7_32\" title=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed\/v2\/7696152919938190599?lang=en\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.5625\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"_base_1s8rd_1 _default_1s8rd_12\">Crucially, it costs less than what I had expected. I had expected it to cost upwards of S$600, but at S$399, and considering how good it may look in a home, I think it could be affordable enough to entice people to give it a try \u2013 even if they don\u2019t have an immediate need for a smart home hub. As always, more time is required to evaluate it, but first impressions are positive and it shows promise.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"availability-and-pricing\" class=\"_subHeading1_1k87u_111 _base_1k87u_1\">Availability and pricing<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"_figure_wioo3_1\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"_base_1sb7q_1\" alt=\"Apple HomeView wall-mounted\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto\" width=\"1140\" height=\"760\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/99bb64873a0e964a585f1274f7369ae400fbfb3439f87bb47cc058633336c3f4?w=500&amp;q=85 500w,https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/99bb64873a0e964a585f1274f7369ae400fbfb3439f87bb47cc058633336c3f4?w=800&amp;q=85 800w,https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/99bb64873a0e964a585f1274f7369ae400fbfb3439f87bb47cc058633336c3f4?w=1000&amp;q=85 1000w,https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/99bb64873a0e964a585f1274f7369ae400fbfb3439f87bb47cc058633336c3f4 1140w\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/99bb64873a0e964a585f1274f7369ae400fbfb3439f87bb47cc058633336c3f4?w=1000&amp;q=85\" style=\"--custom-aspect-ratio:1.5;contain-intrinsic-size:1140px 760px\"\/><figcaption class=\"_figureCaptions_wioo3_158\">\n<p class=\"_imageCaption_wioo3_165\">There is also a wall-mounted version that comes in at the same price of S$399.<\/p>\n<p>Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"_base_1s8rd_1 _default_1s8rd_12\">The HomeView is priced at<b> S$399<\/b> and will be available to pre-order on Apple\u2019s website starting <b>9am on 15 October 2026<\/b>. It goes on sale on 13 November.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><br \/>\n<center><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hardwarezone.com.sg\/lifestyle\/home\/apple-homeview-smart-home-hub-speaker-singapore-launch-pre-order-price\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article At Source <\/a><br \/>\n<center\/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s been rumoured for years, and now it\u2019s finally official. Apple\u2019s smart home hub has just been announced, and it\u2019s called HomeView. The name is&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":92734,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[4428,2229,31634,4113,8887,469,31633,6522,1225],"class_list":["post-92733","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tech-gadgets-reviews","tag-apples","tag-called","tag-considerably","tag-costs","tag-expecting","tag-home","tag-homeview","tag-hub","tag-smart","wpcat-32-id"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92733","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=92733"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92733\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/92734"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=92733"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=92733"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=92733"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}