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iPhone Duo's A20 Pro Chip Benchmarked Ahead of Launch

The iPhone Duo unsurprisingly offers performance similar to the iPhone 18 Pro, according to an early iPhone Duo benchmark shared on Geekbench 7. Both devices are equipped with Apple's 2nm A20 Pro chip with a 6-core CPU and a 7-core GPU.


The benchmarked ‌iPhone Duo‌ (iPhone19,4) is running iOS 27.1, as expected, and it had a single-core score of 3986 and a multi-core score of 11067. That's in line with multiple benchmarks collected from ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max models.

Scores vary from test to test, so while the result does fall short of the top ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ benchmark scores, we're only viewing a single score. The ‌iPhone Duo‌ has the same 6-core CPU with a 4.93GHz base frequency that's identified in ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ benchmarks, and it lists 11.30GB memory, which means 12GB of RAM.

While the ‌iPhone Duo‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ models use the same A20 Pro chip, there could be differences in real-world performance based on thermal management, the ‌iPhone Duo‌'s two screens vs. a single screen, and other factors.

Apple says the A20 Pro offers up to 20 percent faster CPU performance than the A19 Pro and up to 40 percent faster GPU performance. GPU speeds were not tested.

Pre-orders for the ‌iPhone Duo‌ will start on October 16, and a launch will follow on October 23.
Related Roundup: iPhone Duo
Related Forum: iPhone

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10 HomeView Features You Might Have Missed

Apple plans to launch the HomeView on November 13, so we have a month to go until we can learn more about it. Right now, we're limited to the information Apple has shared and what members of the media learned during limited hands-on time.


We've rounded up some interesting HomeView tidbits you might have missed.

  • Recipe walkthroughs - HomeView makes Safari recipes easier to follow by pulling out the ingredients and steps. You can tap on a "Start Cooking" button to get step-by-step instructions you can use as you cook. The device also supports multiple voice-activated timers.

  • Siri access - You can say Siri (English only) or Hey ‌Siri‌ for hands-free access, but there are also options for activating ‌Siri‌ with a swipe down from the top of the display or using Type to ‌Siri‌.

  • Apple Intelligence - HomeView has some Apple Intelligence features built in. You or members of your household can use ‌Siri‌ AI for general knowledge questions if you don't have an ‌Apple Intelligence‌ iPhone or iPad, but you do need one for any requests involving personal context.

  • Guests - Personal data is private, but guests can control smart home accessories, check the weather, set timers, and play music. Visitors can also AirPlay audio to the HomeView using peer-to-peer discovery.

  • Adaptable interface - HomeView can tell when someone is approaching and parts of the interface will change based on proximity. If someone is across the room, it shows less information in a larger view. As the person approaches, the view can change to show more information.

  • Faces - HomeView has multiple customizable faces similar to watch faces. Apple says some faces can "wake with you in the morning, wind down with you at night." The Snoopy face, for example, has different animations based on time of day, weather, and holidays.

  • Third-party apps - There's no App Store, but the HomeView has CarPlay-like software capabilities. It can show CarPlay audio and video apps from a linked iPhone. There are no ‌CarPlay‌ video apps except for Apple TV, so app developers will need to add support.

  • Handoff - You can transfer songs, podcasts, calls, videos, and recipes from the iPhone to the HomeView.

  • Live Activities - HomeView supports Live Activities, so if you have a timer running or get an incoming Intercom message, content will be visible while you use other apps.

  • Sensors and HomeKit - The HomeView has temperature and humidity sensors that can be used in Home app scenes and automations. It also serves as a home hub for controlling HomeKit and Matter devices when you're away from home.


HomeView is available for pre-order now, and it will launch on November 13. It is priced at $299 and comes in either a tabletop version with a speaker base or a wall-mounted version.
Related Roundup: Apple HomeView
Buyer's Guide: HomeView (Buy Now)

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Apple Becomes Second Company to Close Above $5 Trillion

Apple today closed with a market capitalization above $5 trillion, making it the second company to do so after Nvidia.


As noted by The Wall Street Journal, Apple's market cap has exceeded $5 trillion six times before today during intraday trading, but this is the first time the company stayed above the mark at closing.

Apple closed at $342.96, for a market cap of $5.005 trillion. The new valuation comes just over a month after John Ternus took over for Tim Cook as Apple CEO, and two days ahead of iPhone Duo pre-orders.

While Apple surpassed Nvidia to briefly become the most valuable company in the world in July, Nvidia has since retaken the title and continues to hold the top spot with a market cap of $5.33 trillion.
Tag: AAPL

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Which Apple Home Devices Get Siri AI, and When

There's been some confusion about which of Apple's new and existing home devices will support Siri AI and when, because ‌Siri‌ AI isn't going to be available at launch on some products.


Devices With Siri AI



  • HomeView - Available at launch (November 13)

  • Apple TV 4K (4th generation) - Available at launch (November 13)

  • Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) - Available in tvOS 27.2

  • Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) - Available in tvOS 27.2

  • HomePod mini 2 - Ships October 30, ‌Siri‌ AI coming in a future software update


Despite a report from CNET suggesting the first HomePod mini would support Siri AI, Apple has since confirmed that's not the case.

No Siri AI Support



  • Original HomePod mini

  • Original HomePod

  • Original Apple TV 4K (no tvOS 27)

  • Apple TV HD (no tvOS 27)


Unconfirmed



Siri AI Requirements


On the ‌HomePod‌ and Apple TV 4K models that support ‌Siri‌ AI, the home owner in the Home app must have an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad on the latest version of the software. ‌Siri‌ AI has to be turned on, and it has to be set to a supported language. Other members of the household don't need an Apple Intelligence-enabled device once ‌Siri‌ AI is turned on, except for personal requests.

HomeView does not require an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or ‌iPad‌ for ‌Siri‌ AI, except for requests that use personal context.

‌Siri‌ AI for HomeView, ‌Apple TV‌ 4K, and HomePod mini 2 is English only and is limited to the United States, Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, and the UK at launch.

EU Restrictions


‌Siri‌ AI is not available in the EU on the iPhone and ‌iPad‌, so ‌Siri‌ AI won't be available for home devices that support it. HomeView isn't even launching in the EU.

Siri AI Beta


Apple is still calling ‌Siri‌ AI a beta, and it will be in beta when it's available on HomeView, ‌Apple TV‌ 4K, and ‌HomePod mini 2‌.
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Apple Intelligence Coming to China in December With iOS 27.3

Apple plans to bring Apple Intelligence to China in iOS 27.3 after two years of regulatory delays, reports Bloomberg. The launch will include basic ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features for things like photo editing, but Siri AI won't be available. Image Playground and the newer version of Genmoji will be missing, plus text generation tools will be limited.


The South China Morning Post today reported that China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently gave Apple network access permits to add Alibaba's Qwen and Tongyi Wanxiang models to the iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, and earlier iPhones, paving the way for an ‌Apple Intelligence‌ debut.

Apple introduced the first ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features in iOS 18.1, but they have been missing from China since launch. Apple received initial clearance to launch ‌Apple Intelligence‌ in China in July, but needed additional clearance for a consumer launch.

China restricts foreign AI technology, which meant Apple had to partner with Alibaba and Baidu to launch ‌Apple Intelligence‌ in the country. Apple also has to allow the Chinese government to approve ongoing updates to the AI models.

Competing smartphone makers in China like Huawei have long offered artificial intelligence features, and Apple has been at a disadvantage without comparable tools.

iOS 27.3 is expected in December.
Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27
Related Forum: iOS 27

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OpenAI Says Ex-Employee Showed Its Device Plans to Apple

OpenAI today suggested Apple could be using its trade secrets, the very thing Apple is already suing OpenAI for. In a court filing, OpenAI accused an ex-employee of giving sensitive data about an unreleased product to Apple.


The unnamed employee joined OpenAI from Apple and then returned after six months. OpenAI claims the person sent "over a hundred highly confidential files" to personal accounts, including manufacturing data and detailed images of at least one unreleased product. The former employee allegedly "made a presentation" on OpenAI product plans for Apple's senior leadership "months ago," and OpenAI is worried Apple could use that information to further its work on AI devices.
OpenAI is very concerned that its trade secret and confidential information is now circulating inside Apple, where Apple engineers can shape Apple's upcoming products based on OpenAI's confidential and innovative work. OpenAI has raised these issues directly with Apple, but to date, Apple has not provided OpenAI with the requested assurances that Apple is not in possession of, and has not used, OpenAI's trade secret and confidential information.

OpenAI asked the court for permission to investigate and pursue counterclaims if necessary. Apple told Reuters it has found no evidence to support OpenAI's claims and it has policies in place to ensure new employees do not use confidential information from previous employers.

Apple and OpenAI have been involved in a tense legal battle since Apple sued OpenAI in July. Apple says OpenAI employees Chang Liu and Tang Tan stole trade secrets from Apple to develop new AI hardware. OpenAI called the lawsuit "careless, aggressive and oddly personal," stating that it does not "have, nor want, any of their trade secrets" because it is "much more interested in building innovative products and technologies that push the frontier."

Yesterday, the court partially granted Apple's request for expedited discovery. OpenAI has up to two weeks to hand over forensic evidence as well as materials used when interviewing former Apple employees. Liu, Tan, and Alyssa Peng, Liu's former Apple colleague, will need to sit for depositions after Apple gets the requested information.

Judge Edward Davila, who is overseeing the case, said during a hearing today that he is "highly likely" to grant a preliminary injunction prohibiting OpenAI from using Apple's allegedly stolen trade secrets. Bloomberg says an injunction would "mark a potential setback" for OpenAI's hardware development efforts.
Tag: OpenAI

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WhatsApp Now Lets Anyone Join Calls, No Account Needed

Popular Meta chat app WhatsApp today gained guest calling, a feature that lets users invite anyone to join a voice or video call, even if the invitee doesn't have a WhatsApp account.


WhatsApp says everyone has access to free, end-to-end encrypted calls with no time limits and support for up to 32 people at once.

A guest joining a call needs permission from the call host, and guests will show up in a waiting room until the host lets them in. Guests cannot see other participants' phone numbers, send messages, or add others to the call, and hosts can remove them from the call at any time. Guests have access to screen sharing for reviewing materials, thumbs up and heart emoji reactions, and a raised hand to ask a question.

WhatsApp users can start a guest call through the Calls tab. Tap "+" to create a call link and then send the link to anyone. WhatsApp calls can be joined in a computer browser with a WhatsApp call link.

WhatsApp says that it plans to roll out calendar integrations later this year for creating a WhatsApp call from a Google or Outlook calendar.

With the option to join a call from a browser, WhatsApp is matching a feature that Apple started offering for FaceTime with iOS 15. Anyone can join a ‌FaceTime‌ call with a ‌FaceTime‌ link.
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Everything Apple Still Has Coming in October

Apple debuted three new home products today, but the October announcements aren't over yet. Rumors suggest there will be another "event" on October 27, plus we're still waiting on the iPhone Duo.


Here's everything we're expecting to see launch or be announced in October.

  • October 16 - ‌iPhone Duo‌ pre-orders start.

  • October 23 - ‌iPhone Duo‌ launches.

  • October 27 - OLED touchscreen MacBook Pro, M6 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌, M6 iMac, ‌OLED‌ iPad mini

  • October 30 or before - iOS 27.2, iPadOS 27.2, macOS 27.2, and other 27.2 updates launch.

  • October 30 - HomePod mini 2 launch, ‌iPhone Duo‌ launches in more countries.

  • Late October - Mac Studio with 512GB of RAM comes out.


Apple is rumored to be holding content creator sessions in Los Angeles on October 27 and October 28 to show off the new Macs and ‌OLED‌ ‌iPad mini‌. As with the "Welcome Home" announcement, we may hear about the new devices via press release, with an in-person event for content creators and members of the media to get some hands-on time with the new products.

The new Macs will debut in October, but won't ship to customers until November. With an October 27 announcement, pre-orders could happen that same day and a launch could follow as soon as November 6.

Apple's ‌OLED‌ ‌MacBook Pro‌ is the product to watch because it will be Apple's first touchscreen Mac and the first redesign of the ‌MacBook Pro‌ since 2021. The new ‌MacBook Pro‌ will be lighter than the current version, and it will use M5 Pro and M5 Max chips.
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Welcome Home: Everything Apple Announced on October 13

Apple didn't hold an event today, but it did refresh its lineup of smart home products with the Apple HomeView, HomePod mini 2, and fourth-generation Apple TV 4K. The $299 HomeView is an all-new device that serves as a central home hub, offering apps, widgets, and personalized content for up to six people.


The $299 ‌Apple TV‌ 4K now has microphones for Siri, more internal storage, a faster A19 chip, and Wi-Fi 7, while the $149 HomePod mini has a faster chip and new colors. All three home devices will support for ‌Siri‌ AI. More detail on all of the announcements is available in our coverage linked below.

HomeView



Apple TV 4K



HomePod mini



Other News



You can pre-order the ‌Apple TV‌ 4K, ‌HomePod‌ mini, and HomeView right now. The ‌HomePod‌ mini launches on October 30, while the HomeView and ‌Apple TV‌ 4K are coming out on November 13.
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Apple Releases Third Public Betas of iOS 27.2 and macOS Golden Gate 27.2

Apple today seeded the third betas of iOS 27.2, iPadOS 27.2, macOS Golden Gate 27.2, and watchOS 27.2. The software comes a few hours after Apple provided the betas to developers.


To get the new betas, you can sign up on Apple's beta testing website. After you're signed up, the betas can be installed through the Software Update section in the Settings app on each device.

iOS 27.2 includes the redesigned Health app that Apple introduced at its September iPhone event. It features new Insights and Longevity tabs with more insight into health and fitness data. There's also a Health Age feature that uses your metrics to determine your fitness age vs. your actual age.

In the Apple TV app, there are new profile options, and Siri AI is now available in French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish.

There are a few other features in the updates, which are listed in our iOS 27.2 guide.
Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate
Related Forums: iOS 27, macOS Golden Gate

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iOS 27.2 Adds New Apple Music Icon

In the fourth beta of iOS 27.2, Apple updated the Apple Music icon. The new icon is black and white, replacing the prior red and white icon.


In light mode, the logo is black on a white background, and in dark mode, it's white on a black background.

The refreshed Music app icon comes after Apple debuted a new Apple Music logo in an earlier version of iOS 27.2 and in marketing materials for its recent ‌Apple Music‌ Hall announcement.


Along with a new icon, the ‌Apple Music‌ app in iOS 27.2 beta 4 has blue highlights for the selected navigation bar icon rather than red, and text in the Music app's settings also swaps red for blue. ‌Apple Music‌ widgets also have a black background instead of a red background, suggesting Apple is phasing out much of the red branding for the music service.
Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27
Related Forum: iOS 27

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Elevation Lab Pulls AirTag Silencer After Stalking Concerns

Earlier this year, Elevation Lab announced the launch of a "Silencer" for AirTag meant to pierce the speaker on the device to disable the sound.


Elevation Lab explained that it created the Silencer to keep thieves from detecting an ‌AirTag‌ on valuable products like bikes, but the company didn't think easy speaker removal would be problematic.

The ‌AirTag‌ plays a sound when it is away from its owner to alert users that a tracker might be following them. AirTags have been criticized for making stalking simple, and Apple has improved safety features multiple times since the trackers launched in 2021. The latest ‌AirTag‌ 2 even has a louder speaker and more adhesive to make the speaker harder to remove.

We did not cover the launch of the Elevation Lab Silencer because we didn't want to publicize an accessory that does away with the ‌AirTag‌'s anti-stalking feature, and Elevation Lab must have heard several complaints. Six Colors' Glenn Fleishman, for example, said the device was "appalling." When he asked Elevation Lab about it, Casey Hopkins, the company's CEO, explained that users can already silence AirTags themselves, and people will still get smartphone notifications if an unknown ‌AirTag‌ is traveling with them.

Elevation Lab reversed course and sent out emails today letting customers know that the Silencer is no longer available for purchase.
We launched an AirTag silencing tool recently. We've always made products we want for ourselves, and this was no different - we wanted it for AirTags on our bikes. (Some of us have bikes more valuable than our cars.)

In retrospect though, this also has the side effect of aiding someone with bad intentions to track someone that wouldn't get phone notifications.

We have removed the product and will use our patent on it to prevent anyone else from making one in the future.

The Silencer had a pin located where the ‌AirTag‌ speaker is. The device description instructed users to remove the ‌AirTag‌ battery, apply the Silencer, and hit it with a hammer to cause the pin to pierce the ‌AirTag‌'s plastic cover and the speaker below.

‌AirTag‌ alerts do make the trackers less useful for locating items stolen deliberately, but audible sound is an essential safeguard that exists to protect people from stalkers. Elevation Lab plans to use its patent to make sure other companies do not design and release a similar accessory.
Related Roundup: AirTag
Buyer's Guide: AirTag (Buy Now)

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iOS 27.2 Beta 4 Removes New Health App

The iOS 27.2 beta Apple released today removes the updated Health app that Apple was testing in earlier betas.


The removal of the Health app is not a surprise because Apple previously said the redesign wouldn't be introduced until late 2026.

After upgrading to the fourth beta, the Health app has a popup that says the new app features will come in a future update. Data collected during the beta remains available in the Settings app.


Apple is planning to release iOS 27.2 later in October, and the removal of the Health app suggests a launch is getting closer. The HomePod mini 2 that launches on October 30 uses HomePod software 27.2, so the updates will need to come out before that date.
Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27
Related Forum: iOS 27

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iPhone Duo Will Have Day-One iOS 27.1 Update

The iPhone Duo ships with iOS 27.1, a version of iOS 27 exclusive to the foldable device. Apple yesterday released a new build of iOS 27.1 (24A94425), which means buyers will have a day-one software update to install.


The ‌iPhone Duo‌ is shipping with iOS 27.1 build 24A94232, and if it's not already in the hands of reviewers, it will be soon. Apple likely released the new build to address bugs while the Duo is being evaluated by members of the media.

Since the ‌iPhone Duo‌ isn't coming out until October 23, there's plenty of time for Apple to release another iOS 27.1 update or even iOS 27.2. Buyers might not have the 24A94425 update to install if it's replaced by something newer, but either way, there will be an update required during the ‌iPhone Duo‌ setup process.

Pre-orders for the ‌iPhone Duo‌ begin on Friday, October 16, at 5 a.m. Pacific Time or 8 a.m. Eastern Time. It will launch on Friday, October 23.

If you're planning to pre-order the ‌iPhone Duo‌, you can use Apple's Get Ready process to select a color and capacity, as well as confirm carrier status, choose accessories, and supply billing information and payment. Get Ready speeds up pre-ordering, and it is recommended given the expectation of supply constraints.
Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27, iPhone Duo
Related Forums: iOS 27, iPhone

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Apple Releases New AirPods Beta Firmware

Apple today released new beta firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, AirPods 5, and AirPods Max 2. The firmware has a build number of 9B5043a and is rolling out for developers and public beta testers.


There's no word on what's included in the firmware update because Apple doesn't offer notes for AirPods beta releases.

When the AirPods are connected to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac running iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS 26 or later, there is a beta firmware option that can be accessed in the AirPods settings interface. Toggling on beta updates allows users to install the beta firmware.

Firmware updates can then be downloaded by connecting the AirPods to an Apple device and connecting them to power. It can take a few hours for new firmware to be installed because there is no software update option like there is for other Apple devices.
Related Roundup: AirPods 5
Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

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Apple Releases Fourth iOS 27.2 Beta

Apple today seeded the fourth beta of an upcoming iOS 27.2 update to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming a week after Apple released the third iOS 27.2 beta. Apple also seeded a new iPadOS 27.2 beta.


Registered developers can download the beta updates by opting in under Settings > General > Software Update and selecting the iOS 27 developer beta.

iOS 27.2 includes Apple's redesigned Health app with new Insight and Longevity tabs. It also brings Siri AI in new languages. There are several other new features, with details available 4re5 our features guide.

Apple releasing an iOS 27.2 beta ahead of a iOS 27.1 beta was surprise because the company plans to ship the iPhone Duo with iOS 27.1, but it likely wants to keep some of the iPhone Duo features hidden for longer.

The ‌iPhone Duo‌ will launch on October 23. Apple previously said the new ‌Siri‌ AI languages in iOS 27.2 would be available in October, so it's likely iOS 27.2 will come shortly after the ‌iPhone Duo‌'s release date. iOS 27.2 is also required for the new HomeView.
Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27
Related Forum: iOS 27

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Apple Seeds Fourth macOS Golden Gate 27.2 Beta to Developers

Apple is testing the next macOS Golden Gate update, and developers can download the fourth ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ 27.2 beta. The fourth beta comes a week after Apple released the third beta.


Registered developers can download ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ 27.2 by opening up the System Settings app, clicking on General, selecting Software Update, and opting into ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ betas.

‌macOS Golden Gate‌ 27.2 introduces Siri AI in new languages and includes new brightness and volume sliders.

We're expecting ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ 27.2 to launch toward the end of October.
Related Roundup: macOS Golden Gate
Related Forum: macOS Golden Gate

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Apple Releases Fourth watchOS 27.2 and visionOS 27.2 Betas

Alongside new betas of iOS 27.2, iPadOS 27.2, and macOS Golden Gate 27.2, Apple has released the fourth betas of watchOS 27.2 and visionOS 27.2. The betas come a week after Apple released the third betas, but there is no tvOS 27.2 beta 4 yet.


Registered developers can download the betas through the Settings app on each device.

With iOS 27.2 and watchOS 27.2, Apple is testing the new Health app that it showed off during its September iPhone event. The updated Health app has new Insights and Longevity tabs with a readiness score that uses information from the new Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 models.

There's no word on what's being added in visionOS 27.2 and tvOS 27.2, but Apple the fourth-generation Apple TV that Apple released today includes support for Siri AI features.
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Neutral)
Related Forums: Apple Vision Pro, Apple Watch

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HomeView Runs Third-Party Apps From Your iPhone or iPad

The new Apple HomeView comes preinstalled with a selection of Apple apps, such as Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, Apple News, Calendar, FaceTime, and Messages, but it will also support third-party audio and video apps.


Apple did not create an App Store for the HomeView, so there is no on-device way to download apps. It instead uses a CarPlay-like system where third-party apps will be displayed when the HomeView is connected to a compatible iPhone or iPad.

Audio apps made for CarPlay like Spotify and Audible will also work on the HomeView, and developers will be able to extend HomeView support to existing iOS video apps.

Up to six people in a household can use HomeView, and it tells users apart by voice and through the camera built into the front of the device. Each user's apps and personal information will be shown only when the person is enrolled and authenticated. Apple says users need to be recognized by the camera and have a paired and recently unlocked iPhone or ‌iPad‌ near the HomeView for it to display compatible third-party iOS apps and information from apps like Messages and Calendar.

Shared photo albums and music can be accessed by anyone in the home, including guests. Guests will not be able to see personal information due to the authentication requirement.

HomeView is priced at $299 and is available for pre-order now. It will launch on November 13.
Related Roundup: Apple HomeView
Buyer's Guide: HomeView (Buy Now)

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HomeView's Wall Model: Pay More, Get Less Speaker

Apple offers two versions of the HomeView, one that can be mounted on the wall and one that's a standalone model with a speaker base. The wall-mounted version and the speaker version are both priced at $299, with no discount for the base-free model.


Wall mounting is the more expensive option because most buyers will need hardware that's sold separately and is currently priced starting at $60. There are three options for mounting the HomeView on the wall.

  • Power Mount USB-C Wall Connector ($59.95) - The USB-C mount is from Schneider Home, and Apple says it is a self-install mount. It uses a standard USB-C cable that goes to a power adapter, which the user also needs to supply. It requires a 20W or higher power adapter.

  • Power Mount AC Wired ($79.95) - The AC Wired mount uses in-wall power so there's no visible cable. Apple recommends having it installed by a licensed electrician and is partnering with ADT to offer installation services.

  • Power Mount PoE Wired ($129.95) - The Power over Ethernet hardwired mount is not available right now. Apple says to check back later for availability. It will require a home with PoE wiring.

  • No mount - There is an option to buy the wall-mounted version with no additional hardware. Presumably, accessory companies will eventually offer mounting solutions, but Apple has the only mount option right now.


In addition to being more expensive, the wall-mounted HomeView comes in more limited color options. It can only be purchased in silver or space gray, while the speaker version also comes in starlight and rose pink.

Both HomeView models have speakers with "two custom full-range drivers" in the display, and the wall-mounted version uses computational audio tuned for on-wall placement. The model with a speaker base also has a down-firing woofer and two force-canceling passive radiators that are not available in the wall-mounted version.

We'll need to wait for reviews to see sound comparisons on the speaker version and the wall-mounted version, but customers who opt for the wall-mounted version are going to be paying more for less hardware.

The HomeView is available for pre-order now and will launch on November 13.
Related Roundup: Apple HomeView
Buyer's Guide: HomeView (Buy Now)

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