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Apple has announced the HomeView, its first smart home display, with a Nov. 13 release date. A CNET hands-on comparison says its design and Apple Home integration stand out, but its 7-inch screen is smaller than rival displays, while details about Siri’s third-party app support remain limited.
Apple has announced the HomeView, its first smart home display, which is scheduled to go on sale Nov. 13. In a CNET hands-on comparison with Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub devices, the reviewer found a polished, stationary design and a strong fit with Apple Home, but said the 7-inch screen could limit video calls, viewing and other uses that benefit from a larger display.
The HomeView is designed to control smart home devices and let users interact with Siri AI. CNET’s reviewer, who has tested Echo Show displays since 2017 and Nest Hub models since 2018, saw the Apple device in person and compared it with an Echo Show 11 and a 10-inch Nest Hub Max. The report describes the HomeView as a small display mounted on a low, domed speaker base.
The reviewer praised the display’s appearance and Liquid Retina screen, while questioning whether its size suits a shared kitchen or living area. The report says smaller screens can be harder to use for video calls, watching shows and following cooking instructions from a distance. Those are assessments from the reviewer, not independent performance measurements.
Apple also plans a wall-mounted version. CNET reports that the least expensive wall mount Apple sells costs an additional $60 and that hiding the wired power connection requires professional installation, adding expense. The report does not provide a final installed cost. Apple’s stated starting price for the display is not specified in the supplied material, which says the screen may have helped keep the price below $300.
Screen Size Shapes HomeView’s Role
The comparison highlights a practical choice for buyers: a compact display may suit a bedside table or a focused smart-home control point, but it may be less useful as a shared screen for a room. CNET’s reviewer argues that the 7-inch panel is notably smaller than rival models built for tabletop use, potentially reducing the convenience of video calls, recipes and entertainment.
Apple is also entering a market where Amazon and Google have years of product experience and multiple screen sizes. The HomeView’s appeal will depend not just on its design, but on whether Siri and Apple Home offer enough everyday value to compensate for the smaller screen and the less-established product line. Buyers invested in Apple’s ecosystem may weigh that differently from those who rely on Alexa or Google services.
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A Later Entry to Smart Displays
Amazon’s Echo Show line began in 2017, according to the CNET report, and Google’s smart displays followed under the Google Home Hub name in 2018. Both companies have since released multiple models and changed features over time. The comparison notes that Amazon’s earlier Echo Show 10 used a rotating base that followed people; the reviewer says it could bump into objects and welcomes the HomeView’s stationary base.
Screen size is another point of contrast. The report compares the HomeView’s 7 inches with a 10-inch Nest Hub Max and references Amazon’s 21-inch Echo Show 21, which includes Fire TV. These are different products and price points, but they illustrate the range of formats available to shoppers. CNET’s author says screens smaller than 8 inches work best when viewed from close range; that is the author’s experience, not a universal specification.
The software comparison is also preliminary. CNET’s reviewer favors Alexa Plus for smart-display interactions and describes its integrations with services including GrubHub, Uber Eats, Ticketmaster and OpenTable. The report says Apple has not detailed equivalent third-party service or booking support for HomeView. Apple did say the device supports compatible third-party audio and video apps from an iPhone.
“HomeView supports compatible third-party audio and video apps from your iPhone.”
— Apple, as quoted in the CNET report
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Siri Features and Final Costs
Several details remain unconfirmed in the supplied reporting. Apple has not publicly clarified whether Siri on HomeView will offer third-party actions such as food orders, ride bookings or restaurant reservations comparable to those CNET describes for Alexa Plus. The report also does not establish the full range of compatible apps or explain how Siri will handle searches across personal messages and email beyond examples shown by Apple.
The final cost of the wall-mounted setup is also unclear. CNET reports an additional $60 for Apple’s least expensive mount and says professional work may be needed to conceal the power wiring, but it gives no installer quote or total. The source material does not state HomeView’s exact retail price, detailed hardware specifications, or how its performance compares in standardized testing.
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Release and Reviews to Come
HomeView is scheduled to become available on Nov. 13. More complete product information and independent testing after release should clarify its retail price, app compatibility, Siri capabilities and performance in everyday use. Buyers considering a wall installation will also need to confirm the mounting requirements and obtain a professional estimate for concealed wiring before comparing total costs.
Until those details emerge, the CNET comparison offers an early, hands-on assessment rather than a final verdict. The key questions for shoppers are whether the smaller screen fits their intended room and whether Apple’s software features meet their needs as well as the more established alternatives.
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Key Questions
What is Apple HomeView?
It is Apple’s first smart home display, designed to control smart home devices and interact with Siri AI. The CNET report says it has a 7-inch screen and a speaker base.
When does HomeView go on sale?
Apple announced a Nov. 13 availability date. The source material does not specify the year.
How does its screen compare with competing displays?
HomeView has a 7-inch display. The CNET comparison cites a 10-inch Google Nest Hub Max and Amazon’s 21-inch Echo Show 21, among other sizes.
Will HomeView support third-party services through Siri?
The extent of that support is not yet clear. Apple said compatible third-party audio and video apps from an iPhone are supported, but the report says Apple has not detailed booking or ordering integrations for Siri on HomeView.
Does the wall-mounted version require installation?
CNET reports that concealing the wired power connection requires professional installation and adds to the cost. The report does not give a total installed price.
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