TL;DR
CNET reviewed Apple’s HomeView after using it for about two weeks and found a polished smart display with strong audio, responsive HomeKit controls and personalized profiles. The review says it does not resolve compatibility and ecosystem issues for households using a mix of Apple, Android and other smart-home products.
CNET’s review of Apple’s $299 HomeView smart display found that it works well as a control point for a HomeKit-focused household, with a vivid screen, room-filling audio and personalized profiles, but does not solve the compatibility problems of a mixed smart home. The review is based on about two weeks of use; its findings are one reviewer’s assessment, not a claim that the device suits every household.
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Reviewer Ajay Kumar tested HomeView at a desk and in a living room, using it for Apple calendars, music, reminders, grocery lists and control of smart-home devices. CNET reports that it integrates with HomeKit and Matter devices. Profiles using facial authentication can be set up for up to six family members, according to the review.
The device has a 7-inch, 1,088-by-1,088-pixel Liquid Retina IPS display and an Apple A18 chip. Kumar described the screen as bright and responsive, while saying he sometimes wanted a larger one. The review also praises the audio from two full-range drivers, a down-firing woofer and dual force-canceling passive radiators, saying it was loud enough to fill a large living room.
CNET’s assessment includes drawbacks as well as strengths: HomeView costs $299, some apps may be unavailable within Apple’s ecosystem, and the wall-mounted version has a different, less powerful speaker setup despite costing the same. The review favors it for people already invested in Apple and HomeKit, while suggesting Android users or households split across device ecosystems consider alternatives such as Amazon Echo or Google Nest displays, as explored in Apple’s Welcome Home event.
A Display for Apple-First Homes
HomeView’s appeal rests on combining a smart-home dashboard with familiar Apple services, rather than introducing a new category of device. For households already using HomeKit, iCloud calendars and Apple devices, one screen may make shared schedules, lists and connected accessories easier to manage. The review also points to profiles for different family members as a way to personalize access.
But a polished interface cannot by itself make products from different ecosystems work together. Buyers in homes with Android phones, non-HomeKit accessories or services that HomeView does not support may find the $299 price harder to justify. The wall-mounted model’s audio trade-off also matters to shoppers choosing between placement options, since CNET says it lacks the woofer and passive radiators found on the tabletop version.
The review’s practical takeaway is conditional: HomeView may be a capable hub for an Apple-centered setup, but it is not presented as a universal fix for fragmented smart-home devices. Whether that distinction matters depends on the products and services a household already uses.
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How CNET Tested HomeView
CNET says Kumar spent about two weeks using HomeView alongside an older 2023 Amazon Echo Show 8. The reviewer used the Apple display to manage work and personal calendars, listen to music, make grocery lists, set reminders and control connected devices. He also tried it as a bedside and desktop screen, using its adjustable display, clock faces, widgets and photo presentation.
The comparison has a limit: CNET notes that Amazon has since introduced a newer 8.7-inch Echo Show 8 with a different display, chip, camera and audio features, so Kumar’s older Echo is not a direct match. The source describes HomeView as Apple’s first display designed specifically for its HomeKit ecosystem, while noting that smart displays with assistants, speakers and cameras already exist from competitors.
““Apple’s debut display is impressive, but you should know a few things before making HomeView your smart home centerpiece.””
— CNET reviewer Ajay Kumar
Compatibility and Buyer Fit
The source does not provide a full list of supported third-party apps, services or smart-home products, so the extent of HomeView’s limits for a particular household remains unclear. CNET says Apple’s ecosystem may restrict apps some users rely on, but does not identify every affected app or describe how those restrictions vary by region or setup.
The findings also come from one reviewer’s two-week test, not a long-term reliability study or a controlled comparison with the newest Echo and Nest models. The source does not establish how HomeView performs across a wider range of homes, network conditions or mixed-device setups. Buyers should check whether their specific accessories and preferred services are supported before treating the display as a central hub.
Check Support Before Buying
The review reports no announced software update or follow-up product milestone. For prospective buyers, the immediate next step is to confirm that HomeView supports the household’s smart-home accessories, accounts and apps, then decide whether the tabletop or wall-mounted speaker configuration better fits the room. CNET’s recommendation remains dependent on the buyer’s existing ecosystem: Apple and HomeKit users are the strongest fit, while Android users and mixed-device households may prefer to compare Echo and Nest options.
Key Questions
What did CNET conclude about Apple HomeView?
CNET found HomeView to be a polished display with strong audio and useful HomeKit integration, while flagging its $299 price and potential app and ecosystem restrictions. The recommendation is strongest for people already using Apple services and HomeKit devices.
How much does Apple HomeView cost?
The source lists the HomeView at $299. It says the wall-mounted version costs the same as the tabletop model but has a less powerful speaker arrangement.
What can HomeView do in the review?
Kumar used it for calendar management, music, grocery lists, reminders and control of connected smart-home devices. The review also describes clock faces, widgets, family photos and personalized profiles for up to six people.
Is HomeView suitable for Android users or mixed-device households?
CNET suggests that Android users and households split across ecosystems may want to consider Echo or Nest displays instead. The source does not list every supported app or accessory, so buyers should check compatibility with their own setup.
Does the review establish that HomeView is better than newer Echo or Nest displays?
No. The reviewer compared HomeView with an older 2023 Echo Show 8, and CNET says the newer 8.7-inch Echo Show 8 is a closer comparison. The review does not provide a direct test against that newer model or the listed Nest displays.
Source: cnet.com
