Apple announced several new smart home devices on Tuesday that incorporate an updated, AI-powered Siri and tighter ecosystem integration with the aim of making connected-home products more reliable and easier to set up.
What was announced
The headline product is HomeView, a 7-inch smart display priced at $299. Apple says the device includes an AI-enhanced Siri that can respond to requests, control connected devices, and recognize different household members to deliver personalized information. HomeView will be available in two designs: a wall-mountable model and a tabletop version that Apple likened to the iMac G4. The company said the display will ship next month.
Apple also refreshed a speaker, updated a streaming device, and introduced a set of connected home accessories developed with partners.
Apple Home Collection and partners
Under the Apple Home Collection, the company collaborated with LG and Schneider Electric on smart locks, doorbells, cameras and thermostats. These accessories are designed to work together through Apple’s Home app and Siri, intended to simplify integration and everyday management of a variety of home devices.
Why this matters now
The smart home category has long fallen short of broad consumer expectations: setups often required technical know-how and devices frequently failed to interoperate smoothly. Apple’s bet is that modern AI can address that weakest link by enabling automatic problem diagnosis, smarter coordination between devices, and reduced need for hands-on troubleshooting.
Paul Gagnon, vice president at market research firm Circana, told Axios that “the capabilities that AI would bring in helping make sure that these devices can solve their own problems and work together is really interesting to me.” At the same time, market figures show challenges: Circana reports that U.S. smart speaker dollar sales fell 9% in 2024 and a further 7% in 2025, and smart displays performed poorly until a partial rebound this year.
Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight, said the new products may attract consumers who previously avoided smart-home purchases because they were perceived as difficult to set up and use.
The broader context
The AI hardware race is following two paths: adding substantial intelligence to familiar devices, and creating entirely new classes of personal gadgets. Amazon and Google have been evolving their assistants and smart-home ecosystems for years, while other companies are pursuing new form factors: OpenAI is expected to release a first AI device soon, and Meta has teased Charm, a Tamagotchi-like gadget tied to its Muse assistant.
Outlook for consumers
Apple benefits from a large installed base of iPhone owners and a track record of simplifying complex technology, which could make setup and adoption easier for some buyers. Yet it remains unclear whether those advantages will expand what has largely been a niche market. The central question is whether consumers will add another screen or speaker to their homes now that capable AI assistants are increasingly available on smartphones.
Bottom line
Apple’s new lineup — led by the $299, 7-inch HomeView smart display and complemented by partner-built Apple Home Collection accessories — aims to use AI to make the smart home more approachable and reliable. Convincing enough consumers to invest in additional home hardware, however, remains the company’s biggest challenge.
