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HomeView has one big problem: The iPad

Macworld HomeView is Apples new attempt to compete with Amazon and Google in the smart home market. It only arrived in stores today, but its already shaping up to be a hit. Its design, which is somewhat reminiscent of a smaller iMac G4 , is cute, and it runs an operating system based on iOS. But HomeViews biggest problem is that theres already another Apple product that can do most of the same things. The main purpose of HomeView is to function as a HomeKit hub. But because its an Apple device, it also comes with some of the companys most popular apps preinstalled. It lets you answer FaceTime calls, play songs on Apple Music, or even check your calendar with Siri AI. All of this comes packed into a device that costs $299, not exactly cheap, but relatively affordable for a new Apple product in 2026. But when even the cheapest iPad can do everything HomeView does and more, Apples new smart home hub starts to seem quite expensive for what it does. The iPad is already a great smart home display Many Apple users had been eagerly awaiting the companys first smart home hub. Thats no surprise, given the vast market for HomeKit accessories. But the thing is, iPads were already fulfilling that role for many users already in the Apple ecosystem without even realizing it. Think about most of the things youre most likely to do with a HomeView check the weather, control the lights, send a message, play music. You can already do all of these things with an iPad without having to buy a new device. In fact, many Apple users have already turned an old iPad into a de facto smart home display just by placing it on a stand. The new OLED iPad mini has a bigger screen and more capabilities than the HomeView. Roman Loyola/Foundry Granted, there are important differences between the two. The iPad wasnt designed to be a smart hub and lacks some of HomeViews really useful features, such as an always-on display and private multi-user support. Still, in other areas, the iPad ends up being much more versatile. The iPad can run pretty much any app from the App Store, while theres no mechanism for installing apps on HomeView. And even the iPad mini has a larger canvas than the HomeView for widgets. In terms of design, the iPad also has some advantages. The entry-level model features an 11-inch screen, compared to the HomeViews 7-inch screen. Plus, the iPad has a built-in battery, so you can move it freely around your home. With HomeView, you have to think about where to place it and leave it there. Not only that, but you need to decide whether you want HomeView with its base or wall mount theres no way to switch between the two. With the iPad, you can. Sure, the HomeView has better speakers and a design that looks nicer sitting on a kitchen counter. But is that really worth giving up everything else? The things HomeView does best To be fair, its not that HomeView doesnt have any benefits over the iPad. The first is Apple Intelligence if you buy the cheapest iPad available today, it lacks even the most basic of Apples native AI features. HomeView is powered by the A18 chip from the iPhone 16, so it works with Apple Intelligence and Siri AI. It can answer more complex questions and even pull contextual information from your iPhone. The entry-level iPad, on the other hand, is still stuck with the old Siri. However, its only a matter of time before the base-model iPad gets a chip capable of running Siri AI. But theres another feature that might be even more important: multi-user support. Unlike the iPad, which was designed to be a personal device, HomeView can be used by up to six people in the same household. This is a must-have feature if you dont want other people in your house snooping on your messages or photos. HomeView uses a Face ID-like facial recognition system to display each users personal data. Each person has their own Home Screen, widgets, and app content. From that perspective, HomeView makes a lot more sense as a smart hub than the single-user iPad. HomeViews biggest advantage is its app-less simplicity and muilti-user support Foundry HomeView vs. iPad: Which one to choose? Dont get me wrong, I do like the idea of the HomeView. Its a great addition to Apples ecosystem, especially for those who have a lot of HomeKit stuff at home. Having a dedicated screen that anyone in the house can use is a nice feature thats not really available on any other Apple device, and unlike an iPad, the HomeView is designed to be always available. You dont have to worry about charging it, finding where you left it, or unlocking it every time you want to turn on the lights. But I still think its hard to justify its price given all its limitations. Yes, an entry-level iPad costs $150 more, but it also does a lot more. It can serve as your smart home display and also function just like any other tablet, with a vast ecosystem of apps available. If you already have an old iPad at home, thats even better. You just need to buy a stand for it. If not, a refurbished 11th-generation iPad costs almost the same as a HomeView. I dont think HomeView is a bad product, and its actually cool to see Apple getting more involved in the smart home market. But the first generation seems to have too many limitations for its price. So for most users like me, an iPad will likely remain the first choice for some people when it comes to their smart home hub.

13 Nov 2026 5:00 pm