Apple HomeView launched in India at Rs 39,900 with Siri AI, 7-inch display

Apple has launched HomeView a smart home display powered by Apple Intelligence and featuring an upgraded Siri AI assistant in India at Rs 39900 The device combines entertainment video calling and smart home controls in a single display with preorders opening on October 13 Tuesday and sales beginning November 13The HomeView features a 7inch Liquid Retina display a builtin speaker system and facial recognition to provide personalised experiences for up to six users It allows household members to access their individual content across apps such as Messages FaceTime Calendar Reminders and Find My while also supporting shared photo albums and musicApple is offering the tabletop model in four colours mdash silver starlight rose pink and space grey A wallmounted version is also priced at Rs 39900 and is available in silver and space greyApple HomeView features Siri AIThe HomeView runs a new version of Siri which Apple says offers more conversational interactions broader general knowledge and improved music discovery The assistant can also use personal context from an Apple Intelligenceenabled iPhone or iPad to provide responses based on information in apps such as Messages and CalendarSiri AI can answer general questions and support natural conversations even without an Apple Intelligenceenabled iPhone or iPad However personalised responses drawing on information across apps require a compatible paired device with Apple Intelligence enabled Siri AI is available in beta with HomeView software version 272 according to AppleHomeView setup and multiuser support require a compatible iPhone or iPad running the latest software Users can also customise Siris voice and speaking pace on supported devices with those preferences carrying over to HomeView Conversations started on HomeView can continue in the Siri app with history synced privately through iCloud across compatible Apple devicesThe display also supports customisable interfaces including photo displays animated faces and widgets Its adaptive brightness adjusts automatically to changing lighting conditions ranging from 500 nits to 03 nits The interface changes the level of detail displayed depending on how close a user is to the screenEntertainment video calls and smart home controlsThe HomeView features two fullrange drivers in the display a downfiring woofer and two forcecancelling passive radiators in its base Apples computational audio technology adjusts sound output in real time to optimise loudness and bass response The wallmounted model uses two custom drivers and audio processing tuned for onwall placementUsers can access Apple Music Apple Podcasts Apple News Apple TV and compatible thirdparty audio and video appsThe device also supports multiroom audio with HomePod HomePod mini and compatible AirPlay speakers With Handoff users can transfer audio playback from an iPhone to the HomeView by bringing the phone close to the displayFor communication the device supports FaceTime video calls with Center Stage which keeps participants framed during calls Users can also read and respond to messages using voice commands or the onscreen keyboard Its Intercom feature allows messages to be broadcast to individual rooms or throughout the house reaching compatible HomeView and HomePod speakers and personal devicesHomeView can also be used as a kitchen assistant displaying web recipes as stepbystep instructions and supporting handsfree timer control and ingredient tracking Its Find My integration helps users locate compatible Apple devices and items fitted with an AirTagAs a smart home hub the HomeView can control compatible lights thermostats locks blinds and security cameras Its Home Camera interface can display up to nine video feeds simultaneously while the Home Modular interface provides quick access to frequently used smart home accessoriesWith a supported iCloud subscription and compatible cameras users can receive notifications about recognised people familiar faces pets packages and vehicles HomeKit Secure Video recordings can also provide video descriptions to help users understand what happened in a clip without watching it in full The device can detect smoke and carbon monoxide alarm sounds and send alerts to a users iPhone iPad or Apple WatchHomeView also supports compatible accessories that work with Apple Home and the Matter smart home standardApple has announced a new Apple Home Collection of cameras thermostats and a smart lock developed in collaboration with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric The collection is scheduled to begin arriving in December with select accessories expected in early 2027Privacy and securityApple has equipped HomeView with its A18 chip and Secure Exclaves isolated environments designed to process camera and microphone data separately from the rest of the system The company says data processed within these environments cannot be accessed by HomeView software apps users or ApplePersonal content in apps such as Messages and Calendar is displayed when the device recognises an enrolled users face and the associated iPhone or iPad is present and has been recently unlocked Apple says the requirements are intended to protect personal information when the display is shared among household membersSiri requests are processed on the device or through Apples Private Cloud Compute system which the company says does not store data processed in the cloud or make it accessible to Apple or other partiesPrice and availability in IndiaThe Apple HomeView and HomeView Wall Mounted are priced at Rs 39900 each Preorders opened on October 13 through Apples India online store and the Apple Store app with both models scheduled to go on sale on November 13The wallmounted model supports three mounting options from Schneider Home sold separately The Power Mount USBC Wall Connector starts at Rs 6900 while the Power Mount AC Wired starts at Rs 8900 Both can be ordered from October 13 The Power Mount PoE Wired priced at Rs 14900 is expected to be available in early 2027Siri AI on HomeView supports English in India the US Australia Canada New Zealand Singapore South Africa and the UK Apple said Canadian Frenchlanguage support would be added through a free software updateApple said HomeView was designed with recycled materials including 100 per cent recycled aluminium in the tabletop models enclosure base and the wallmounted models enclosure as well as 100 per cent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets