Apple has officially unveiled its biggest home product in six years, introducing the Apple HomeView smart display to the world in the early hours of Wednesday morning (AEST). The device is available for Australians to pre-order today, with prices starting from $449 for the standalone unit, and it will land in stores on November 13.

The announcement came alongside updates to two existing products, the HomePod mini 2 and the Apple TV 4K, but HomeView is clearly the headline act: Apple's first foray into the smart display category, a market that competitors Amazon and Google entered years ago.

What Is the Apple HomeView?

HomeView is a compact smart home screen built around three core ideas: entertaining at home, connecting with loved ones, and managing smart home devices. Designed to sit somewhere between an iPhone and an iPad in size, the device features a seven-inch liquid retina display attached to a domed aluminium base via an adjustable stainless-steel hinge. The hinge accommodates tabletops of varying heights, and the device comes in four colour options: starlight, rose pink, space gray and silver.

Under the hood, HomeView packs a 12-megapixel Centre Stage camera that tracks you during video calls, along with a four-microphone array designed to capture clear audio while filtering out background noise.

The device supports up to six individual user profiles, meaning every member of a household can enjoy a personalised experience. Setup requires connecting a personal Apple device, such as an iPhone or iPad, to the same Wi-Fi network. The HomeView uses facial recognition to identify who is standing in front of it, automatically pulling up that person's profile when they swipe up on the screen. Each profile is fully customisable, with a range of display faces available in classic Apple style.

Pricing and Wall-Mount Options

The base HomeView unit starts at $449, but buyers who want a wall-mounted setup will need to budget for additional hardware. Apple offers three purpose-built mounts at different price points:

  • Power Mount USB-C Wall Connector: $94.95
  • Power Mount AC Wired: $124.95
  • Power Mount PoE Wired: $199.95

The wall-mounted bundle, which includes the HomeView and a mount, starts at $543.95. Pre-orders are open now, with units shipping from November 13.

How Does It Stack Up Against Amazon and Google?

Apple is arguably late to the smart display space. Amazon introduced its Echo Show range nine years ago, and Google has had its own competing products on the market for years. However, Apple is positioning HomeView as a distinct offering rather than simply a catch-up device, with its key differentiator being deep integration with the broader Apple ecosystem.

Because HomeView draws on personal context from your iPhone or iPad, including your apps, preferences and account data, the experience is considerably more tailored than what rival devices can offer. For this reason, the product is best suited to households that already rely heavily on Apple devices. Those who found earlier Siri-powered Apple products, such as the original HomePod, underwhelming in terms of smart assistant capability may find HomeView a meaningful step forward.

The underlying pitch is straightforward: HomeView is designed to let you leave your phone in your pocket while you are at home, keeping you connected to the information and people that matter without requiring you to scroll through a handheld screen. For Australians who are increasingly conscious of their phone habits at home and at work, that proposition may have genuine appeal.

Apple HomeView pre-orders are open now through Apple's website and authorised retailers, ahead of the November 13 release date.