Apple's HomeView isn't reinventing smart displays — it's fixing what made me abandon my Amazon Echo Shows
After years of frustration with my Amazon Echo Shows, Apple's new HomeView has me reconsidering what a smart display should actually do, and why I stopped using mine.
Apple's new $299 HomeView smart display may be the first in years that makes the author want to return to the device after previously abandoning Amazon Echo Shows. The Echo Shows, once a big part of the author's life, became increasingly frustrating due to cumbersome workflows, intrusive ads, and the need to manage separate apps.
HomeView, on the other hand, seems designed to work with the author's existing iPhone, making it more convenient to access recipes, photos, and smart home controls without additional steps. Unlike Echo Shows, HomeView integrates seamlessly with the author's iPhone, utilizing features like AirDrop, Siri, and personalized content based on the user's presence.
The display changes based on who is in front of it, showing individual schedules and reminders for the author and their partner. Ad-free and customizable, HomeView emphasizes the information the user chooses to display, rather than pushing promotional content. While requirements for personal context include a compatible iPhone with Apple Intelligence and a recent lock screen, HomeView offers a more seamless and intuitive experience compared to Amazon's smart displays.
Written by urgent.news from Tom's Guide's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
