Apple unveils $299 HomeView smart home tablet

Apple unveiled HomeView, a $299 smart home tablet, marking a major product launch under new CEO John Ternus. The seven-inch device can sit on a counter or mount on a wall and uses facial recognition to identify up to six household members, personalizing their messages, calendars, and apps. It features Apple's revamped AI-powered Siri. The launch aims to gain ground in a market where Amazon holds nearly 50% of smart speaker sales through its Echo devices. While some analysts doubt the hardware's utility compared to smartphones, others argue Apple has the brand strength and privacy credibility to integrate fragmented home systems, such as thermostats and lighting, into a single interface. Kara Swisher expressed skepticism about the product's necessity, noting she has tried similar devices and found them unused. In contrast, Scott Galloway argued Apple is the only brand with the credibility to unify the fragmented smart home market.