Apple’s HomeView smart home hub expected to ship in mid-November

Apple’s HomeView smart home hub is expected to ship around mid-November, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported. The device is set to be unveiled at the company’s “Welcome home” event on October 13.

Under the current plan, HomeView will reach customers after new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini models, which are expected in stores on October 30.

Two versions with an A18 chip

HomeView is positioned as a Siri command center for the Apple-powered home, combining a display with an A18 chip. The countertop version will have a metal speaker base and come in space gray, silver, starlight and pink; the wall-mounted model will use a flat square base and be limited to space gray and silver.

Gurman said HomeView will offer better sound quality than the new HomePod mini. The device will be controlled primarily by voice, while its screen will also support touch input.

Limited apps without an App Store

HomeView will support a limited selection of Apple applications, and it will not have a dedicated App Store.

The HomeView name first appeared in a trademark filing made by a shell company. MacRumors reported the discovery, which Gurman later cited in his newsletter. He said “view” refers to the display people are expected to look at, even though voice will be the main control method.