Slashdot has reported:

Apple has unveiled HomeView, a $299 smart display that brings Siri AI, FaceTime, customizable widgets and Apple Home controls to a countertop or wall-mounted device. The 7-inch screen is the centrepiece of the company’s new push into the home, launching alongside a collection of cameras, thermostats and a door lock designed for Apple Home.

HomeView can serve as a smart home hub and Matter controller, as well as a Thread Border Router, allowing it to coordinate Apple Home and other Matter devices. It supports up to six facial-recognition profiles and can draw on personal context from messages, calendars and email when paired with a nearby iPhone capable of running Apple Intelligence.

The device’s square shape may make it seem less imposing than larger screens such as Google’s Nest Hub Max and Amazon’s Echo Show 11. A reviewer for The Verge said, “I can see it fitting nicely on my kitchen counter -- though it might be a hair too big for my bedside table.”

HomeView is available for pre-order and is scheduled to ship Nov. 13. At launch, it will be offered in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and India.