The MacRumors Show: HomeView and Apple TV 4K First Impressions
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we share first impressions of Apple's new HomeView and Apple TV 4K, including their hardware, everyday usefulness, and experiences with Siri AI. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos Following a week with the HomeView, Apple's new smart home device makes a strong impression with its build quality and sound, but leaves questions about how much it adds to a household already filled with Apple products. Its overlap with existing devices has already prompted some skepticism. The 7-inch display may feel smaller in person, with its square aspect ratio and thick bezels contributing to an appearance reminiscent of a large Apple Watch. Sound quality from the tabletop model is a highlight, falling between the HomePod mini and full-sized HomePod. That also raises questions about the value of the wall-mounted version, which costs the same $299 before mounting accessories but lacks the larger speaker base. In the kitchen, setting timers, playing music, answering questions, and controlling smart home accessories provide straightforward reasons to use the HomeView. Turning web recipes into clean, step-by-step instructions with ingredient checklists is a particularly useful example of where the software is designed around its setting. Elsewhere in the home, its purpose can be less obvious, especially at a desk already surrounded by screens. Review: Is Apple's All-New HomeView Smart Home Hub Worth $299? Personalization is another promising part of the experience. The HomeView's face recognition can switch quickly between household members, bringing up the correct person's apps and information even when two people are standing beside one another. The interface combines familiar elements from Apple's other platforms, but that familiarity also invites questions about whether it feels sufficiently tailored to the home. Messaging and browsing are available, yet typing on a stationary display may be something users do only occasionally. The HomeView has no App Store, instead supporting compatible third-party audio and video apps through a connected iPhone or iPad, just like CarPlay. Video playback offers some flexibility for watching something at a kitchen counter, bedside, or desk, although widescreen content occupies a small portion of the square display. Hands-On With the New Apple TV 4K and Siri AI The fourth-generation Apple TV 4K provides noticeably faster navigation and animations thanks to the A19 chip. Its built-in microphones make hands-free Siri convenient when the remote is missing, including while TV audio is playing. The updated Siri Remote's speaker also makes finding it around the room easier. Support for four-speaker HomePod surround sound provides another reason to consider the new Apple TV, particularly for users who already own compatible speakers. We weigh up the appeal of expanding an existing HomePod setup against buying a dedicated home theater system, and consider whether these additions justify the Apple TV's new, higher starting price of $299. Siri AI is a major part of both new products, and its expanded capabilities come with familiar frustrations. More complex questions and requests involving personal context can work, but long waits and inconsistent results can interrupt the experience. Our discussion also touches on occasions when simple tasks, such as adding reminders, prove less reliable than expected, despite the assistant's broader abilities. The MacRumors Show has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips. You can also listen to The MacRumors Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or other podcast apps. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your player. If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our discussion about Apple's first 27.3 betas, which bring expanded Siri AI actions, a redesigned Health app, and new Fitness+ features, alongside conversation summaries on the Apple Watch. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by familiar guests such as Tyler Stalman, Michael Fisher, Kayci Lacob, Kevin Nether, John Gruber, Mark Gurman, Jon Prosser, Luke Miani, Matthew Cassinelli, Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Sam Kohl, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie. The MacRumors Show is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also email us at podcast@macrumors.com or head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.Related Roundups: Apple TV, Apple HomeViewTag: The MacRumors ShowBuyer's Guide: Apple TV (Buy Now), HomeView (Buy Now)Related Forums: Apple TV and Home Theater, HomePod, HomeView, CarPlay – Home & Auto TechThis article, "The MacRumors Show: HomeView and Apple TV 4K First Impressions" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
