It is well known that Apple's new HomeView smart home hub was significantly delayed, and there is now yet another piece of evidence: the device will initially ship with six-month-old HomeView software version 26.5, according to AppleDB. When setting up the HomeView, users will be prompted to update to HomeView software version 27.2. The device launches Friday, November 13.Related Roundup: Apple HomeViewBuyer's Guide: HomeView (Buy Now)Related Forum: HomePod, HomeView, CarPlay – Home & Auto Tech This article, "Apple's HomeView Ships With Six-Month-Old Software" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Apple’s new HomeView product arrives in users’ homes next week, but today a report from The Information outlines what to expect from a larger, high-end ‘HomeView Ultra’ product coming next year. more…

MacRumors has confirmed that the A18 chip in Apple's new HomeView smart home hub is paired with 8GB of RAM. This is not very surprising given the A18 chip also has 8GB of RAM in all iPhone 16 models and the MacBook Neo, but Apple does not list this information in the HomeView's tech specs, so it is worth documenting.Related Roundup: Apple HomeViewBuyer's Guide: HomeView (Buy Now)Related Forum: HomePod, HomeView, CarPlay – Home & Auto Tech This article, "Apple's New HomeView Smart Home Hub: Here's How Much RAM It Has" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

A HomeView with a swiveling robotic arm.

Code discovered in the iOS 27.3 beta suggests that HomeView is set to gain support for third-party AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude. A leaker spotted the first clue to this a few days ago, and in an updated post says that this feature “is happening” … more…

Apple's upcoming HomeView smart home hub could also work as a HomeKit Secure Video camera, according to settings strings discovered in the device's software by code sleuth pdfu. The strings were found in HomeView Software 27.2 and feature four camera modes, including Off, Detect Activity, Stream, and "Stream & Allow Recording," along with scheduling options for when users are home, away, or asleep. Notably, pdfu says there's also a HomeView-specific configuration for 1080p/30fps video and microphone input, which the software selects for HomeKit Secure Video sessions. Other strings suggest that only home members will be able to view streams and recordings. They also indicate that a green light appears and a sound plays when a stream is viewed or recording starts, and users will receive a notification when camera settings change. The scheduling options include an away mode, but the strings suggest streaming and recording can only be enabled from the HomeView itself while people are home. Expect face recognition and activity zones to be configured in the Home app on iPhone. Elsewhere, pdfu highlighted a related Home app string suggesting that when the Home app is open on a member's device, the the HomeView may take photos to refresh its camera preview, and these too will be accompanied by a green light. Apple has not announced a camera feature for HomeView, and the presence of code strings in the device's software doesn't confirm that it will be available to users at launch. HomeView launches on Friday, November 13, starting at $299. Apple's early release of the device's software has already given us a preview of features like wallpapers, revealing other details we didn't previously know.Related Roundup: Apple HomeViewTag: pdfuBuyer's Guide: HomeView (Buy Now)Related Forum: HomePod, HomeView, CarPlay – Home & Auto Tech This article, "Apple HomeView Could Double as a Security Camera" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

The Information's Aaron Tilley today reported that Apple has been developing a larger, robotic version of the HomeView. This device has been called a "HomeView Ultra" or "HomeView Max" in rumors, but the final name might be different. Tilley said a prototype of the device is equipped with a 9-inch display on a swiveling arm, with its overall design said to look similar to Apple's old iMac G4 or Pixar's lamp mascot. Like the HomeView, the device would have standard features like FaceTime, but it would also be "fully aware of its environment and act autonomously." "The current design for the robot envisions it using a camera and sensors to be fully aware of its environment and act autonomously, allowing it to turn on the lights when someone walks into a room—or perhaps even try to tell a cat to get off a table," the report said. "It is meant to be smart enough to avoid accidentally hitting objects around it." The report said the device's hardware has largely been finalized for around two years, but there have apparently been "internal disagreements" within Apple, particularly in regards to which software features should be available on the first-generation model or postponed until a second-generation model already being discussed. The report said Apple is hoping to release the larger HomeView in 2027 for around $1,000 in the U.S., but the device might not be ready to launch until 2028. Apple has also explored other types of robots, such as one that follows a user around the home on wheels, one that flies inside the home, and one that can fold clothes, but it is unclear if any of these devices will ever be released. Most of these details were already reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who said the 9-inch screen can swivel a full 360 degrees.Related Roundup: Apple HomeViewTag: The InformationBuyer's Guide: HomeView (Buy Now)Related Forum: HomePod, HomeView, CarPlay – Home & Auto Tech This article, "Apple 'HomeView Ultra' With 9-Inch 360º Screen Detailed in New Report" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Code discovered in the iOS 27.3 beta suggests Apple is laying the groundwork for chatbot apps on its upcoming HomeView smart home hub, according to the code investigator known as pdfu. The software HomeView uses to display apps from a connected iPhone or iPad is said to have gained a "Conversational Apps" category in the latest beta. The update also reportedly adds preparations for two-way audio routing, session management, and interruptions, but pdfu notes that it is "still not fully wired up." Apple hasn't announced chatbot apps for HomeView, and the code doesn't show which apps could use the category or when it could launch, so support for ChatGPT, Claude, or other chatbots is unconfirmed. It's not the first time the possibility has been floated: pdfu suggested on Sunday that chatbot apps might follow based on an unused flag in HomeView's software. Anti-Spoofing Protection In a separate finding, pdfu also discovered that HomeView has anti-spoofing protection. Apparently, after three spoof attempts for a profile, the user must authenticate with an iPhone to see personal data, and the protection is enabled in HomeView software 27.2. Apple is also said to be working on a lockout cooldown system, similar to what happens when you enter the wrong passcode on an iPhone. A first lockout can be cleared immediately, but a second lockout brings a one-hour wait, a third a four-hour wait, and a fourth (or any further) lockout an eight-hour wait. pdfu adds that the lockout cooldown periods are still in development, so for now any lockout can be cleared immediately by authenticating with an iPhone. Apple hasn't described either feature in its press materials. HomeView Launches Next Week HomeView launches on November 13 for $299, in both desktop and wall-mounted versions. Here's what Apple has announced so far: * 7-inch Liquid Retina display, in a tabletop model with a speaker base and a wall-mounted model. * Face recognition for up to six users, each with a personal Home Screen with apps and widgets. * Siri AI, with conversations that continue in the Siri app on other Apple devices. * Personal content from Messages, FaceTime, Calendar, Reminders, and Find My, shown when the enrolled user is recognized and their iPhone or iPad is nearby and recently unlocked. * Faces including Photos, Flow, Snoopy, Home Modular, and Home Camera. * Apple Music, Podcasts, News, and Apple TV, plus compatible third-party audio and video apps. * Handoff from iPhone, and multiroom audio with HomePod, HomePod mini, and AirPlay speakers. * FaceTime with Center Stage, Messages by voice or keyboard, and Intercom. * Step-by-step recipes from the web with hands-free timers. * Smart home controls, including a Home Camera face that shows up to nine live camera feeds. * With a supported iCloud+ subscription, recognition of people, pets, packages, and vehicles from compatible cameras. * Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm sound detection. * Support for Apple Home Collection accessories, other "Works with Apple Home" accessories, and Matter. HomeView won't have an App Store. However, as we reported last month, it shows CarPlay-style third-party audio and video apps from a connected iPhone or iPad. HomeView isn't on sale in the European Union because Siri AI is currently unavailable in iOS there, and Apple says it is still working with the EU to find a path forward to make it available in the bloc.Related Roundup: Apple HomeViewTag: pdfuBuyer's Guide: HomeView (Buy Now)Related Forum: HomePod, HomeView, CarPlay – Home & Auto Tech This article, "HomeView Code Suggests Future Support for AI Chatbot Apps, Anti-Spoofing Protection" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

While Apple hasn't launched a standalone security camera, the HomeView could act as one, working as a HomeKit Security Camera to protect your home.

Okay, it's in essence just an iMac G4 sort-of mirroring a MacBook screen, but it's still cool. YouTuber Jesse Richards uses custom software (that he has made available) on a MacBook to stream what a HomeView shows to the user while it's running. Yet another reason to reuse classic Apple hardware, or to make a Mac a home server!

A further source has doubled down on rumors of Apple planning a larger HomeView, this time which can automatically swivel on its base.

Apple code sleuther pdfu has discovered evidence that HomeView will be able to serve as a HomeKit security camera. They found multiple options for the security camera feature, with Apple taking significant steps to protect the privacy of household members … more…

Apple's new HomeView smart home hub doesn't have an App Store, but it supports third-party apps via CarPlay mirroring. Any audio or video app that works with CarPlay can be automatically mirrored from your iPhone to the HomeView display. #Apple #HomeView

Amazon has brought back a $10 discount on HomeView pre-orders, bringing the price down to $289. Reports suggest shipping dates via Amazon are currently faster than ordering directly from Apple. #Apple #HomeView #TechNews

Someone figured out how to hack an old 'sunflower' iMac G4 into a DIY HomeView smart screen. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Alongside its HomeView and its partnerships with other firms, Apple has revealed that it is serious about smart homes through new research aiming to make smart locks safer.

Amazon's $9 pre-order discount on the HomeView has returned for the Space Gray color, allowing you to get the home hub for $289.99, down from $299.00. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Although only a $9 discount, this is still biggest deal we've seen on the HomeView, and as of writing only Amazon is offering any sort of discount on the device. Amazon's delivery estimates have begun stretching into late November, past the HomeView's launch date of November 13. $9 OFFHomeView for $289.99 For more pre-order info on Apple's newest Macs and iPad mini, be sure to check out our dedicated post. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week. --- Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find as we head into the holidays? You can sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundup: Apple Deals This article, "HomeView Pre-Order Returns to $289.99 on Amazon" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

We knew that HomeView OS is rough for developers right now, and leverages CarPlay APIs, but a new tour of how the smart home peripheral exposes just how restricted it is.

Code strings in HomeView’s software suggest Apple could launch a Secure Video feature soon.