Apple is getting ready to release a brand-new smart display that brings voice control, smart home management, and media into one screen. Most recent reports call the device Apple HomeView, moving away from earlier rumors that referred to it as a HomePad. The new hub wants to expand the Apple ecosystem as a central control station for your living room or kitchen. Since this is a totally new hardware category for the company, buyers are highly curious about how much it will cost.
The upcoming hub carries a $350 estimated price tag
Industry insiders point to a retail price of around $350 for the new smart screen. This cost places the device above competitors like the basic Amazon Echo Show. It also positions the hub just $100 shy of the base iPad model.
Apple is betting that a dedicated screen with specialized hardware will justify the cost for buyers who want a static home control center. If the $350 price holds true, the device needs to prove it offers more utility than a standard tablet sitting on a kitchen counter.
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Two models bring different designs for tabletops and walls
Reports indicate the company will release two physical versions of the hub to fit different spaces in your house. The primary model features a speaker base with a screen that floats above it. This look heavily resembles a miniature iMac G4.
The second option is a simpler wall-mounted version that uses a flat, square base. Both versions feature a 6-inch square touchscreen. Buyers looking at the speaker model can choose from space gray, silver, starlight, and pink finishes. The wall-mounted model keeps things basic with just space gray and silver options. If you want to dive deeper into the hardware, there are plenty of Apple HomeView specs circulating online right now.
An A18 chip powers on-device features and face recognition
Under the hood, the device relies on the A18 processor to keep everything running smoothly. This gives the hub enough power to process voice requests directly on the device without relying on cloud servers.
The chip also powers a built-in camera that handles face recognition. When different household members walk up to the screen, the camera identifies them and switches to their personal profile. This means everyone gets their own calendar events, weather updates, and media preferences right away.
The display skips a dedicated app store for widgets
Anyone hoping for a general tablet might need to lower their expectations. The device runs on a new system called homeOS, which heavily prioritizes voice control over traditional touch inputs.
Current reports suggest the hub will not feature a traditional App Store. You will not be able to download native third-party apps directly to the hardware. Instead, the system handles outside applications by letting you project widgets from a nearby iPhone. It functions as a focused home companion rather than an open computer.
Expect shipments to start arriving by the middle of November
The company plans to reveal the smart home display on October 13. You can tune into the October 13 presentation to see the full hardware reveal.
While the announcement happens in October, the hardware will not be available to purchase on day one. Buyers should expect shipments to begin in mid-November. It appears its strategy is to get the device on store shelves just in time for the holiday shopping season.
Ultimately, the $350 price tag makes the Apple HomeView a premium addition to any living space. It is a bold move for the company to create a heavily restricted device in a world full of versatile tablets. We will soon see if a dedicated, voice-first home companion is something buyers actually want on their kitchen counters.
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