HomeView has one big problem: The iPad

HomeView is Apple’s new attempt to compete with Amazon and Google in the smart home market. It only arrived in stores today, but it’s already shaping up to be a hit. Its design, which is somewhat reminiscent of a smaller iMac G4, is cute, and it runs an operating system based on iOS. But HomeView’s biggest problem is that there’s already another Apple product that can do most of the same things.

The main purpose of HomeView is to function as a HomeKit hub. But because it’s an Apple device, it also comes with some of the company’s most popular apps preinstalled. It lets you answer FaceTime calls, play songs on Apple Music, or even check your calendar with Siri AI. All of this comes packed into a device that costs $299, not exactly cheap, but relatively affordable for a new Apple product in 2026. But when even the cheapest iPad can do everything HomeView does and more, Apple’s new smart home hub starts to seem quite expensive for what it does.

The iPad is already a great smart home display

Many Apple users had been eagerly awaiting the company’s first smart home hub. That’s no surprise, given the vast market for HomeKit accessories. But the thing is, iPads were already fulfilling that role for many users already in the Apple ecosystem without even realizing it. 

Think about most of the things you’re most likely to do with a HomeView — check the weather, control the lights, send a message, play music. You can already do all of these things with an iPad without having to buy a new device. In fact, many Apple users have already turned an old iPad into a de facto smart home display just by placing it on a stand.

Granted, there are important differences between the two. The iPad wasn’t designed to be a smart hub and lacks some of HomeView’s really useful features, such as an always-on display and private multi-user support. Still, in other areas, the iPad ends up being much more versatile. The iPad can run pretty much any app from the App Store, while there’s no mechanism for installing apps on HomeView. And even the iPad mini has a larger canvas than the HomeView for widgets.

In terms of design, the iPad also has some advantages. The entry-level model features an 11-inch screen, compared to the HomeView’s 7-inch screen. Plus, the iPad has a built-in battery, so you can move it freely around your home. With HomeView, you have to think about where to place it and leave it there. 

Not only that, but you need to decide whether you want HomeView with its base or wall mount — there’s no way to switch between the two. With the iPad, you can. Sure, the HomeView has better speakers and a design that looks nicer sitting on a kitchen counter. But is that really worth giving up everything else?

The things HomeView does best

To be fair, it’s not that HomeView doesn’t have any benefits over the iPad. The first is Apple Intelligence — if you buy the cheapest iPad available today, it lacks even the most basic of Apple’s native AI features. HomeView is powered by the A18 chip from the iPhone 16, so it works with Apple Intelligence and Siri AI. It can answer more complex questions and even pull contextual information from your iPhone. The entry-level iPad, on the other hand, is still stuck with the old Siri. However, it’s only a matter of time before the base-model iPad gets a chip capable of running Siri AI.

But there’s another feature that might be even more important: multi-user support. Unlike the iPad, which was designed to be a personal device, HomeView can be used by up to six people in the same household. This is a must-have feature if you don’t want other people in your house snooping on your messages or photos. 

HomeView uses a Face ID-like facial recognition system to display each user’s personal data. Each person has their own Home Screen, widgets, and app content. From that perspective, HomeView makes a lot more sense as a smart hub than the single-user iPad.

HomeView vs. iPad: Which one to choose?

Don’t get me wrong, I do like the idea of the HomeView. It’s a great addition to Apple’s ecosystem, especially for those who have a lot of HomeKit stuff at home. Having a dedicated screen that anyone in the house can use is a nice feature that’s not really available on any other Apple device, and unlike an iPad, the HomeView is designed to be always available. You don’t have to worry about charging it, finding where you left it, or unlocking it every time you want to turn on the lights.

But I still think it’s hard to justify its price given all its limitations. Yes, an entry-level iPad costs $150 more, but it also does a lot more. It can serve as your smart home display and also function just like any other tablet, with a vast ecosystem of apps available. If you already have an old iPad at home, that’s even better. You just need to buy a stand for it. If not, a refurbished 11th-generation iPad costs almost the same as a HomeView.

I don’t think HomeView is a bad product, and it’s actually cool to see Apple getting more involved in the smart home market. But the first generation seems to have too many limitations for its price. So for most users like me, an iPad will likely remain the first choice for some people when it comes to their smart home hub.