Apple Shares HomeView 27.2 Release Notes With List of Features

Apple has introduced HomeView smart home display and released release notes for its software version 27.2. The release notes outline the new features and functionality of the device. HomeView software provides personalized experiences for entertainment, staying connected, and managing a smart home. It incorporates Siri AI, enabling users to locate information and perform tasks more efficiently. Multiuser recognition with customizable faces allows up to six household members to receive content and controls tailored to them.

Siri AI, a more capable and conversational version of Siri, helps users find what they need and get more done, with personal context understanding based on their Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone. It also offers broad world knowledge to answer questions about various topics. HomeView and Siri AI are available in English, and require the paired iPhone or iPad to be set to the same English variant.

The release notes highlight several entertainment features, such as Apple Music with animated lyrics and Spatial Audio support, podcasts with transcripts and personalized recommendations, Apple TV, Apple News, and Audiobooks. Third-party audio and video apps installed on the user's iPhone also appear on HomeView. Multiroom audio enables playing and controlling music in sync across multiple HomeView, HomePod, and AirPlay speakers.

Connection features include FaceTime for hands-free communication with loved ones, using Center Stage to keep the user perfectly framed. Messages can be read and replied to using Siri, the onscreen keyboard, or Tapback. Intercom allows broadcasting messages across the home, to specific rooms, or personal Apple devices. Safari allows browsing the web with a new Cooking experience that auto-detects supported recipes and reformats them with step-by-step instructions and timers.

Find My allows users to locate friends, family, misplaced Apple devices, and AirTags. Handoff seamlessly moves audio, video, websites, or calls from an iPhone to HomeView. Home Control offers a modular face showing a glanceable look at home accessories, Home Camera allows livestreaming up to nine simultaneous camera feeds, and the Home app provides a dedicated dashboard for controlling accessories and activating scenes.

Home hub capabilities keep users connected to HomeKit and Matter accessories, enabling control from away and enabling automations.

Sound Recognition detects smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, alerting users on personal devices like iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. The release notes emphasize personalized experiences, customizable faces, seamless recognition of up to six different users, personalized content, and guest experience. The device supports English with Spanish language support coming soon.