Apple launches HomeView smart home controller priced $299
Apple announced HomeView, a smart home device with a screen for controlling devices and monitoring, priced at $299 with preorders available and availability beginning November 13 in four colors.
Apple on Tuesday announced its new smart home device called HomeView, describing it as its biggest bet yet on a sector in which it has competed for years with companies like Amazon and Google.
HomeView comes with a screen that serves as a hub for controlling home devices, and users can ask Siri to display security camera feeds, adjust the air conditioner's temperature, turn on lights, or lock doors. The device also supports making video calls, playing music and videos, and displaying photos.
Apple also announced a range of compatible accessories including a smart door lock, security cameras, and a doorbell that sends an alert when a visitor arrives; the device can recognize family members to automatically show each person's messages, appointments, and notes when they approach.
The company set HomeView's price at $299 and opened preorders immediately upon the announcement. The device will be available in stores starting November 13 and will be offered in four colors: silver, pearly white, pink, and dark gray.
Apple's track record in the smart home market has been mixed, notably that HomePod speakers did not achieve the same reach as some competitors' products, making HomeView an opportunity for the company to link home control to its ecosystem of devices amid expectations that it could be a first step toward more advanced home products.
