Apple has finally made a smart display. The HomeView is a 7-inch smart home hub that runs Apple Intelligence and a smarter version of Siri. It costs £299 in the UK and $299 in the US, which puts it up against Amazon’s long-established Echo Show range.
The two take different approaches. Apple is betting on tight integration with its existing devices and services, while Amazon has a wider range of devices, a proved smart AI assistant and excellent smart home support.
Here’s what’s different between the two. Note that we’ve not yet reviewed the HomeView, so these comparisons are based on specs.
Versions
There are two HomeView products to choose from. Both have a 7-inch square screen, but there’s the standard version that sits on a desk and has more powerful speakers, and a wall-mounted one.
Amazon has many more products, with the Echo Show 5, Echo Show 11, Echo Show 15 and Echo Hub (stylistically, this latter one is more similar). All versions have widescreen displays.
Interface
The Echo Show is built around widgets that show information on the home screen. This can be controlled, but show things such as the weather, recipe ideas, stock prices and product recommendations. You can also pull in personal details from calendars and emails, and have these shown on screen. Facial recognition on the newer models allows different information to be shown to different uses. However, not all email accounts are supported. For example, paid-for Google or Microsoft accounts can’t be linked.
Primarily, the Echo Show is still a voice device. Preferably powered by Alexa+, the Echo show is extremely powerful. Using your voice you can have basic questions answered, create routines, book restaurants through OpenTable, and more. Alexa+ is very good at context, too. It will learn about you the more you use it, say tweaking recipe suggestions based on your needs and likes. And, it can even store documents for later. For example, you can send the instructions to your dishwasher and then ask Alexa how you refill the salt compartment.
The Echo Show does have a touch interface, but this largely feels secondary. Ask Alexa to turn on the lights, for example, and you can use the touch interface to adjust brightness.
The HomeView is different. Think of it a bit more like a large Apple Watch, designed for the desktop. It’s benefit is that the device works with the curated apps and services that you’re already signed up to, and you can use voice or the touchscreen to use them. Apps include Apple Music, Messages, FaceTime, Home and Calendar. Facial recognition lets the device show different information to different users.
As the same data is used across all of your devices, you’re up and running with a wider selection of tools, and all calendars should work automatically.
There’s also an advantage in being able to use FaceTime for video and audio calls, as the service is much more widely supported across a range of devices than Echo video calling. All of your Home devices are pulled into HomeView, too, accessible through a slick touchscreen app.
You can also use Handoff between your iPhone and HomeView. Tap your phone to the screen to transfer audio or video content, such as a call or the music you’re playing.
Not that voice has been ignored, and Siri AI is used for voice responses. The GenAI version of Siri, it’s a far more impressive tool, able to answer more generic questions. It can’t do Routines at the moment, but expect it to get better.
For Apple users, the tight integration of the HomeView may just give it the edge over the Echo Show.
Smart home
The newer Echo Show models support Thread and Matter, as does Apple HomeView. That makes both capable of acting as a smart home hub.
The main difference is device support. The Echo Show (and other Echo devices) can use Matter for direct connection, or they can connect to a wide range of devices via the cloud. That makes support on the Echo Show much wider than with the HomeView.
There are some special integrations, too. If you’ve got a Ring doorbell, for example, when someone calls, an Echo Show can fire up the live feed and let you answer without touching your phone.
The HomeView is limited to devices that support Matter or HomeKit. That’s more limited, particularly for third-party cameras, although device support has got much better over the years. Apple’s advantage is that the Home app is much better for direct device control (on iPhone, iPad, Mac or HomeView) than the Alexa app is.
Apple has also worked with LG to produce a range of smart products, including a lock, cameras, doorbell and thermostat.
Price and availability
HomeView costs £299 in the UK and $299 in the US. There’s a tabletop version in four colours and a wall-mounted version in two. Pre-orders are open now, and it goes on sale on 13 November in the UK, US and several other countries.
Echo Show models are available now, starting at just £99.99 for the Echo Show 5. As you can see, Amazon’s Echo Show range covers a much wider spread of prices, so it’s easier to find one that fits a smaller budget.
If your home already runs on Apple kit, HomeView’s tight integration with Apple’s services and other hardware may give it an advantage, but how well it works and how good Siri AI is, is to be seen. The Echo Show’s advantage, beyond price and choice of device, is that Alexa+ is well established and smart home support is excellent, plus it’s hardware agnostic, so Android and iPhone users can both use it.
