Apple has introduced HomeView, a shared smart-home display that recognizes up to six household members by their faces and changes its interface to show each person’s apps, widgets and personal content.
The seven-inch device combines home controls, messaging, FaceTime and Siri AI. Facial recognition is used to distinguish enrolled users, allowing a common household screen to present individual information from services such as Messages, Calendar, Reminders and Find My.
Apple says personal content in apps including Messages and Calendar is surfaced when the enrolled user is recognized and their paired iPhone or iPad is present and has recently been unlocked. Shared photo albums and music remain available for household use, including by guests.
The device’s A18 chip includes Secure Exclaves, protected runtimes that process camera and microphone data separately from the rest of the system. Apple says data processed and analyzed within those isolated environments cannot be accessed by HomeView software, apps, users or the company.
Siri requests can be processed on the device or through Private Cloud Compute, Apple’s infrastructure for handling more demanding AI requests. Apple says data processed through that service is not stored or made accessible to the company. Some personalized Siri functions require an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad.
HomeView also supports home monitoring through compatible cameras. With an eligible iCloud+ subscription, Apple says it can provide end-to-end encrypted recognition of people, familiar faces, pets, packages and vehicles. A camera view can display up to nine live feeds, while supported recordings can receive AI-generated video descriptions.
Face recognition has already reached Apple-compatible home security products. Aqara’s HomeKit-enabled Camera Hub G3 introduced local facial and gesture recognition alongside connected-home controls. HomeView combines household-member recognition on the display itself with access to compatible home cameras and accessories.
Apple is offering tabletop and wall-mounted HomeView models, each starting at $299 in the United States. Preorders have opened in several markets, with availability scheduled for November 13. Singapore preorders begin October 15, while South African customers will order through authorized resellers.
The initial markets also include Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Apple says HomeView will not initially be sold in the European Union because Siri AI is unavailable there on iOS. The device supports Apple Home and Matter accessories for controlling functions including lights, thermostats, locks and blinds.
Sources: Apple
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
