# Apple Homeview Impressions: Not Convinced! Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVv3mQzlrN0 Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/QVv3mQzlrN0 Generated: 2026-10-13T23:08:55.573+00:00 --- ## The Gist Apple Homeview fails to justify its three hundred dollar price tag due to limited software features, lack of standalone apps, and missing voice recognition capabilities. ## Quick Overview Apple Homeview is a smart home hub featuring a seven inch square touchscreen and an A18 chip running Homeview OS. Priced at three hundred dollars for both stand and wall mounted versions, the device struggles against established competitors like Amazon and Google. Despite a bright five hundred nit display and fast account switching via facial recognition, the hardware lacks convincing real world value for advanced smart home users. **Key Points:** - Apple Homeview is priced at three hundred dollars for both the stand and wall mounted configurations. - The device runs an A18 chip and a custom operating system named Homeview OS. - The seven inch square touchscreen reaches a peak brightness of five hundred nits. - The wall mounted version lacks built in woofers and does not include a wall mounting adapter in the box. - Homeview supports up to six users and switches accounts automatically using facial recognition from its twelve megapixel center stage camera. - The device relies entirely on Siri AI for voice commands and lacks third party app support. - Audio quality is rated as fine, though the maximum volume is lower than expected for its footprint. ![Screenshot at 00:43: First hands on view of the Apple Homeview display showing the digital clock interface on the metal stand base.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/QVv3mQzlrN0/00-00-43.jpg) **Context:** Apple expanded its smart home ecosystem by partnering with manufacturers like LG and Schneider Electric to release a matching suite of smart home accessories, culminating in the release of the Homeview display. ## Detailed Analysis Marques Brownlee shares his initial impressions of the Apple Homeview after spending time testing the new smart home hub. While the device attempts to bridge the gap in Apple ecosystem offerings against competitors like the Google Nest Hub Max and Amazon Echo Hub, the high price point and software limitations make it a difficult recommendation. The system includes features like customized clock faces, iPhone screen mirroring via carplay standards, and fast multi user account switching, but falls short due to the complete absence of third party apps, lack of native voice recognition per user without camera sight, and high accessory costs. ### Pricing and Hardware Configurations The Apple Homeview comes in two distinct form factors at the same price point. - Both the stand version and the wall mounted version cost three hundred dollars. - The stand version features a color matching metal base with integrated dual speakers and a woofer for enhanced sound. - The wall mounted version lacks built in woofers and requires purchasing a separate power adapter like the sixty dollar USB C wall adapter or the one hundred thirty dollar power over ethernet adapter. ![Screenshot at 02:10: Demonstration of the wall mounted version of the Apple Homeview interface.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/QVv3mQzlrN0/00-02-10.jpg) ### Software and Limitations Homeview OS powers the device, borrowing design elements from iOS and watchOS. - The software does not support an app store or any third party applications, limiting utility to native Apple services. - Users can mirror content from iPhones using carplay standards, and stream music or podcasts from AirPlay sources. - The interface offers watchOS style customizable clock faces and a widget heavy home screen. ![Screenshot at 03:36: Customizing the watch style clock faces on the Homeview touchscreen.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/QVv3mQzlrN0/00-03-36.jpg) ### Facial Recognition and Account Switching The front facing camera enables automatic profile management for households. - A twelve megapixel center stage camera handles facial recognition to switch user accounts seamlessly as different people walk up to the device. - The system does not feature full face ID hardware, relying purely on the camera feed. - Unlike Google Home devices that use voice recognition to differentiate users, Homeview requires the camera to see the user in the general vicinity to load personal context. ![Screenshot at 05:27: The camera interface and user detection functionality operating on the wall mounted Homeview unit.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/QVv3mQzlrN0/00-05-27.jpg) ### Audio and Final Verdict Sound output meets basic requirements, but the overall product value remains questionable. - Audio quality is adequate with decent subwoofer presence on the stand version, though maximum volume levels are relatively low. - The LCD display reaches five hundred nits and drops to zero point three nits at its lowest setting with true tone support for dark rooms. - Marques concludes that the Homeview is a skip for most users due to its high price and limited utility compared to established smart home alternatives. ![Screenshot at 09:03: The Homeview display showing a calendar widget and weather information on a wooden column.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/QVv3mQzlrN0/00-09-03.jpg)