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Following a week with the HomeView, Apple's new smart home device makes a strong impression with its build quality and sound, but leaves questions about how much it adds to a household already filled with Apple products. Its overlap with existing devices has already prompted some skepticism.
The 7-inch display may feel smaller in person, with its square aspect ratio and thick bezels contributing to an appearance reminiscent of a large Apple Watch. Sound quality from the tabletop model is a highlight, falling between the HomePod mini and full-sized HomePod. That also raises questions about the value of the wall-mounted version, which costs the same $299 before mounting accessories but lacks the larger speaker base.
In the kitchen, setting timers, playing music, answering questions, and controlling smart home accessories provide straightforward reasons to use the HomeView. Turning web recipes into clean, step-by-step instructions with ingredient checklists is a particularly useful example of where the software is designed around its setting. Elsewhere in the home, its purpose can be less obvious, especially at a desk already surrounded by screens.
Personalization is another promising part of the experience. The HomeView's face recognition can switch quickly between household members, bringing up the correct person's apps and information even when two people are standing beside one another.
The interface combines familiar elements from Apple's other platforms, but that familiarity also invites questions about whether it feels sufficiently tailored to the home. Messaging and browsing are available, yet typing on a stationary display may be something users do only occasionally. The HomeView has no App Store, instead supporting compatible third-party audio and video apps through a connected iPhone or iPad, just like CarPlay.
Video playback offers some flexibility for watching something at a kitchen counter, bedside, or desk, although widescreen content occupies a small portion of the square display.
The fourth-generation Apple TV 4K provides noticeably faster navigation and animations thanks to the A19 chip. Its built-in microphones make hands-free Siri convenient when the remote is missing, including while TV audio is playing. The updated Siri Remote's speaker also makes finding it around the room easier.
Support for four-speaker HomePod surround sound provides another reason to consider the new Apple TV, particularly for users who already own compatible speakers. We weigh up the appeal of expanding an existing HomePod setup against buying a dedicated home theater system, and consider whether these additions justify the Apple TV's new, higher starting price of $299.
Siri AI is a major part of both new products, and its expanded capabilities come with familiar frustrations. More complex questions and requests involving personal context can work, but long waits and inconsistent results can interrupt the experience. Our discussion also touches on occasions when simple tasks, such as adding reminders, prove less reliable than expected, despite the assistant's broader abilities.
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Related Roundups: Apple TV, Apple HomeView
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Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Buy Now), HomeView (Buy Now)
Related Forums: Apple TV and Home Theater, HomePod, HomeView, CarPlay – Home & Auto Tech
This article, "The MacRumors Show: HomeView and Apple TV 4K First Impressions" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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