Apple wants a seat at your home table

Apple has launched its most serious push yet into your home, built around its attempt to normalize always-on AI with Siri. As widely expected, the new products include its much-anticipated Apple HomeView smart display, a new Apple TV 4K with Siri AI, the next generation HomePod mini 2, and Apple Home Collection, a range of home accessories designed in collaboration with third-party partners. What is HomeView? HomeView is a central control and entertainment device for smart homes. Powered by Apple Intelligence with Siri AI, the wall- or stand-mounted smart display costs $299 and has an A18 chip that runs “HomeView” software. Apple confirmed most of the pre-event speculation, most particularly that the product will not be available in the European Union, as Siri AI is currently unavailable there due to restrictions within the Digital Markets Act. Apple did say it is “working constructively with the EU in an attempt to find a path forward.” We’ll see how that turns out. Features include a custom-engineered acoustic system, FaceTime, face recognition, and Apple’s promise on privacy (which is that it provides you with some). The device supports up to six users; it uses face recognition…

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