Apple unveils new smart home devices that showcase upgraded Siri AI

Apple introduced a series of new smart home devices on Tuesday, including the HomeView, an iPad-like product designed to serve as a central hub for other smart home gadgets. The HomeView, priced at $299 and set to begin shipping next month, boasts a 7-inch screen and face recognition capabilities. It aims to streamline the control of various smart home devices such as doorbells, thermostats, and locks.

The device will also introduce Apple's upgraded AI-powered Siri virtual assistant. Preorders for the HomeView commenced today, with availability set for 13 November. These products are Apple's latest attempt to compete with rivals like Amazon's Echo speakers and Ring doorbells, as well as upstarts like OpenAI, which have been pushing into hardware.

During the unveiling, Apple also updated its HomePod smart speaker and Apple TV and presented a range of accessories, including doorbells, cameras, and thermostats, all manufactured by LG and Schneider Electric. These accessories are designed in collaboration with Apple and can be managed via the Apple Home app.

Notably, the HomeView won't be available in the European Union due to Siri's unavailability in the region, as per EU regulations. For years, Apple has strived to make its devices compatible with a wide array of third-party gadgets, a challenge that has been compounded by Siri's limited ability to provide useful responses. The new version of Siri, highlighted in an Apple press release, promises to be more capable and conversational, leveraging personal information from apps like Messages and Calendar to deliver more relevant answers while maintaining privacy and security.