10 HomeView Features You Might Have Missed

Apple plans to launch the HomeView on November 13, so we have a month to go until we can learn more about it. Right now, we’re limited to the information Apple has shared and what members of the media learned during limited hands-on time.

We’ve rounded up some interesting HomeView tidbits you might have missed.

• Recipe walkthroughs – HomeView makes Safari recipes easier to follow by pulling out the ingredients and steps. You can tap on a “Start Cooking” button to get step-by-step instructions you can use as you cook. The device also supports multiple voice-activated timers.
• Siri access – You can say Siri (English only) or Hey ‌Siri‌ for hands-free access, but there are also options for activating ‌Siri‌ with a swipe down from the top of the display or using Type to ‌Siri‌.
• Apple Intelligence – HomeView has some Apple Intelligence features built in. You or members of your household can use ‌Siri‌ AI for general knowledge questions if you don’t have an ‌Apple Intelligence‌ iPhone or iPad, but you do need one for any requests involving personal context.
• Guests – Personal data is private, but guests can control smart home accessories, check the weather, set timers, and play music. Visitors can also AirPlay audio to the HomeView using peer-to-peer discovery.
• Adaptable interface – HomeView can tell when someone is approaching and parts of the interface will change based on proximity. If someone is across the room, it shows less information in a larger view. As the person approaches, the view can change to show more information.
• Faces – HomeView has multiple customizable faces similar to watch faces. Apple says some faces can “wake with you in the morning, wind down with you at night.” The Snoopy face, for example, has different animations based on time of day, weather, and holidays.
• Third-party apps – There’s no App Store, but the HomeView has CarPlay-like software capabilities. It can show CarPlay audio and video apps from a linked iPhone. There are no ‌CarPlay‌ video apps except for Apple TV, so app developers will need to add support.
• Handoff – You can transfer songs, podcasts, calls, videos, and recipes from the iPhone to the HomeView.
• Live Activities – HomeView supports Live Activities, so if you have a timer running or get an incoming Intercom message, content will be visible while you use other apps.
• Sensors and HomeKit – The HomeView has temperature and humidity sensors that can be used in Home app scenes and automations. It also serves as a home hub for controlling HomeKit and Matter devices when you’re away from home.

HomeView is available for pre-order now, and it will launch on November 13. It is priced at $299 and comes in either a tabletop version with a speaker base or a wall-mounted version.

This article, “10 HomeView Features You Might Have Missed” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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