Kitchen Spy? Apple’s $299 Wild Card

Photo: Vytautas Kielaitis / Shutterstock

Apple just put a camera, a mic, and your home’s controls on a single $299 screen for your kitchen counter.

Story Highlights

Apple introduced HomeView, a 7-inch smart home hub with touch and voice control.
HomeView starts at $299, with tabletop and wall models in multiple colors.
Pre-orders opened October 13; availability begins November 13 in six countries.
HomeView recognizes household members and shows personalized info, Apple says.

Apple Launches HomeView as a Central Smart Home Hub

Apple announced HomeView, a dedicated smart home hub designed to be the center of the home. The device features a 7-inch display and controls for connected devices by touch or by voice using Siri artificial intelligence. Apple says users can view camera feeds, adjust thermostats and lights, lock doors, and close blinds from one place. The company framed HomeView as “central to the home and personal to everyone in it,” underscoring its household role and day-to-day use.

Apple stated that HomeView supports tabletop or wall-mounted setups at the same $299 starting price in the United States. The tabletop version comes in silver, starlight, rose pink, and space gray. Apple opened pre-orders on October 13, with availability set for November 13 in Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. CNBC’s report matched the 7-inch size, placement options, and $299 price point.

Personalized Profiles and Siri Artificial Intelligence Features

Apple described a personalized experience that recognizes household members and tailors what appears on the screen. Reports said the device can identify up to six users and show relevant apps and alerts for each person. Apple also highlighted Siri artificial intelligence for hands-free control of scenes and devices, as well as quick checks of live cameras or door locks. Coverage emphasized that Apple positioned HomeView to show off newer Siri artificial intelligence abilities at launch.

The launch adds a first-party hub to Apple’s home strategy after years of relying on HomeKit software and other Apple hardware for control. Multiple outlets reported the October 13 unveiling and the November 13 retail timeline, marking a coordinated push into the smart display segment. That context matters for families seeking simpler control of lights, locks, and cameras without juggling many apps or remotes. It also places Apple into direct comparison with rivals that already sell dedicated home hubs.

Price, Availability, and Market Gaps to Watch

Apple priced both the tabletop and wall-mounted HomeView models at $299, which could make installation style a matter of preference rather than budget. Apple listed the same six initial launch markets for both versions. MacRumors reported that HomeView is not available in the European Union at launch, but did not provide the reason for the exclusion. The record confirms launch dates and markets but does not yet show post-launch performance or retail inventory levels.

Apple unveiled HomeView, a smart home display with facial recognition and upgraded Siri. It recognizes up to 6 people and monitors 9 security cameras at once.

The company whose whole brand is “we protect your privacy” just put a face-scanning camera hub in your living room.… pic.twitter.com/gM5sSBvuaA

— The Dygest (@thedygest) October 14, 2026

Apple’s announcement covered what the device is meant to do on day one. That includes managing common tasks like lights and locks and offering family-friendly personalization. Details such as whether the tabletop and wall models have identical speakers or accessories were not established in the launch material. For buyers, the clear anchors are the 7-inch screen, Siri artificial intelligence control, the $299 price, color options, and the November 13 availability date in the six listed countries.