Apple's Home revamp is only half done, but the future is bright

We didn't get a redesigned Home app, and the Apple TV 4K is overpriced, but the HomeView is interesting. Most importantly, Apple Home Collection shows a commitment to the smart home.

Apple's series of press releases on October 13 showed it still cares about the smart home, but I think a crucial bit was missing. Sure, the hardware is interesting, but no updates for the Apple Home app was a choice.

I'm excited about HomeView, but the more important announcement was Apple's direct acknowledgement of a problem with third-party accessories. The Apple Home Collection explicitly addresses a complaint I've been raising recently that third-party accessory makers don't care about the Home app.

Oh, and let me give a brief shout out to Beats by Dre, which inexplicably announced a Pokemon collaboration at the same time as Apple's Home announcements.

Even without a video presentation, Apple managed to tell its story of a renewed interest in the smart home. Let's get into what they got right, and what they still haven't fixed.

A hub for your smart home

Apple HomeView is definitely the flashiest of the new releases as it is a whole new category for Apple. It is not, however, a new category for anyone else.

I've been reporting on a "home hub" from Apple since 2021 where the initial rumors surfaced. Funny enough, the rumors basically nailed down everything at the start, but struggled to conceptualize this hybrid device.

At one point, it was defined as a tablet each family member would have and attach to various mounts around the home. A future version is still expected with a robotic arm that moves around with the user.

Today, it's more akin to a CarPlay head unit you can set on your kitchen counter than anything. The 7-inch display shows clocks that are similar to Apple Watch faces, widgets like you'd see in StandBy on iPhone, and some Apple apps.

Opinions vary greatly on this amongst the AppleInsider staff, I don't mind that there isn't an App Store. Honestly, that's where Apple went wrong on Apple Watch and Apple TV.

The problem with everything needing an App Store is it overcomplicates everything for users and developers. Instead, apps and data should be donated by your core devices, like iPhone.

Apple is limiting HomeView to app interfaces created with the CarPlay API, at least for now. iPhone widgets are expected to come later, similar to how they are donated and displayed on a Mac.

It means HomeView can focus on displaying content without needing all the complicated underlying systems. I do think Apple will need a more broad API in the future, but at least it launches with something today, even if some view it as a weakness.

HomeView has other compromises, like not using biometric authentication or a standard mounting type, but overall, I think it is a solid product. I'm ready to place the speaker stand version in my kitchen and mount one to the wall in my office.

Like the larger HomePod, I can see how easy it might be to place more of these throughout my home. However, like when HomePod mini launched later, it might be a good idea to have some restraint and see what other products Apple might introduce to the category.

We didn't hear about Apple's attempt at first-party smart home accessories, nor did we get more AI recognition systems with HomeView. It's a new product line for Apple, so let's see where it goes.

An actual update to your home theater

Apple hadn't touched the Apple TV 4K since 2022 and users were starting to get impatient. The thing is, the new one arrived and costs $150 more than it did in early 2027.

I'd almost understand the price if Apple kept the previous models around, but both third-generation models are gone. There are no storage options beyond the 128GB they give you, and Ethernet is included.

The key updates are an A19 processor, a built-in microphone, Siri AI, and four HomePod surround sound support. Otherwise, it's the same Apple TV experience you've come to expect.

I can't imagine using Siri AI on Apple TV, which is coming to the previous model, but perhaps new workflows will emerge thanks to it being available. I am much more excited by the updated surround sound system, but this also is something that opinions vary on here.

Currently, you can use two like HomePods or HomePod minis in a stereo pair as an audio system for an eARC-connected Apple TV. It shows up to other devices as a 5.1 or 7.1 channel capable Dolby Atmos system, which is odd, since there's no physical center channel.

The audio system was always great with two large HomePods, especially since the down-firing woofers provided plenty of base, even without a dedicated subwoofer. The simulated surround worked well, but depended entirely on the space you were using the speakers in.

The new upgrade lets you pair four HomePods in total. That's four of the same model or two large second-generation HomePods and two HomePod mini 2s.

I believe four large HomePods would overwhelm my space, and my wallet, so I'm opting for two HomePod minis. Adding them in for dedicated left/right/rear channels in my setup should fill in the blanks and enable an even better Dolby Atmos experience.

Such a setup may or may not be able to compete with a sub-$1,000 audio system. A lot of it largely depends on your needs and your space, and for me, nothing can compete with HomePods.

Speaking of, there's the HomePod mini 2 with reactive waveforms, Siri AI, and new colors. There's Not much else to say there.

The Siri Remote saw a big update, well, at least one many have asked for for years. It finally has Find My with precision finding and an audible chime.

Second-party accessories

When rumors first appeared about Apple's second-party accessory plan, I was excited. It was a direct response to a growing problem in the smart home, especially with Apple Home.

Apple announced the Apple Home Collection, a series of devices built specifically with Apple Home in mind. They also support Matter, so they're not locked into the Apple ecosystem.

The key feature: needing only the Apple Home app. It is rare today to find an Apple Home-compatible product that doesn't need a third-party app for access to all of its information and controls.

Apple's initial offering is from LG and Schneider, but I expect there will be more later. These products get proximity pairing animations, special features like Home Key and HomeKit Secure Video, and they all communicate directly with Apple Home.

In some cases, like with Ecobee, the third-party app is useful. It provides interesting context like how much money you save when using eco-friendly modes.

Other devices, like those from Govee, hide entire functionalities within the app. Apple Home is limited to toggling them off and on.

Of course, these initial Apple Home Collection products are all quite simple. Even without this special designation, there isn't much a third-party app would add to the experience.

At least with something tied directly and exclusively to Apple Home, you know your data is private, safe, and secure.

I'm hopeful that such a designation brings some accessory makers back into being more dedicated to supporting the Apple Home interface. At this point, if there is a product I need or want and there's an option in the Apple Home Collection, that's the one I'm going with.

Let's see if this has any effect on the wider smart home ecosystem.

Same boring Home app

The biggest miss of this series of "Welcome Home" announcements is a lack of changes to the Apple Home app itself. Perhaps it just isn't ready yet, or this is a late iOS 27 or WWDC 2027 type of announcement.

The Apple Home app isn't that bad, but it's flat, boring, and hasn't been meaningfully touched since 2022. Once you've got more than a few accessories, scrolling to find the right room and right device can become tedious.

Sure, Siri works, but I've yet to find a good command for "turn my lights on and set them to a neutral temperature and adequate brightness." Perhaps Siri AI in the new systems will work better for that, but I'm not holding my breath.

HomeView's UI is just gorgeous. Every panel I've seen related to smart home controls just jumps off the display.

Forget widgets, the entire Apple Home app should look like this bubbly version of Liquid Glass UI. I could envision launching the app and it showing the Home View Favorites as big bubbly icons, then scrolling right for a camera view or left for access to a room selector.

Tap on a room, and bam, you're greeted with a HomeView like big UI with giant controls and device status. Scroll down to view more devices in that room or swipe to view other rooms.

The current "it's just a giant list of tiny icons, tiny text, and identical colors" just doesn't work anymore. It's dated and needs a refresh.

Sometimes Apple reveals a product, like Apple Vision Pro, and the new UI is so new and refreshing, we can't believe it isn't anywhere else. Let's hope that it's the same with HomeView and Apple Home can see a redesign sooner rather than later.

Sure, Apple Home Collection and other new devices revitalize the Apple Home hardware ecosystem. However, that's only half the battle.

Apple needs to update the Apple Home app interface, include more device categories, catch up with the Matter spec, and announce new APIs. Perhaps then its smart home revitalization will be complete and users will care again.