Apple’s HomeView will display third-party iPhone widgets without an App Store
Apple says HomeView will support third-party iOS widgets from an iPhone even though the device will not have its own App Store. The feature extends to widgets available in CarPlay, including offerings from Amazon, ChatGPT and Instagram.
Apple says HomeView will be able to display third-party iOS widgets from a connected iPhone. The device will not have its own App Store.
The support is described in Apple’s developer documentation, which says an iOS app widget may be made available in CarPlay and Apple HomeView. Developers are responsible for checking whether their widgets work properly and are suitable for those environments.
CarPlay widgets extend to HomeView
HomeView will inherit widgets that third-party iOS apps can provide for CarPlay. Apple’s documentation indicates that this can apply to any iOS app unless its developer explicitly excludes the widget.
Third-party widgets already available in CarPlay since the feature arrived with iOS 26 include offerings from Amazon, ChatGPT and Instagram. Apple says widgets that require extensive interaction or an unlocked iPhone may be unsuitable.
HomeView will also run third-party audio and video apps. Spotify, Audible, YouTube and Netflix are mentioned as likely examples, but Apple has not confirmed a final list.
Pre-orders for selected HomeView models are available starting at $289.
What we know
- HomeView will display iOS widgets from third-party apps through an iPhone.
- Third-party apps gained CarPlay widget support with iOS 26.
- Apple’s documentation names widgets from Amazon, ChatGPT and Instagram.
- HomeView will not include its own App Store.
- Pre-orders for selected models start at $289.
Trust: Single source
- The story relies on one publisher. A second independent confirmation has not been established from the cited sources.
- Sources: 9to5Mac.
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