The MacRumors Show The MacRumors Show

214: Was Apple's HomeView Worth the Wait?

Oct 16, 2026 · 56m

Summary

Hartley and his co-host discuss Apple’s new Home View, HomePod Mini, and Apple TV, noting a lukewarm reaction due to high prices and a lack of innovative features. They debate the utility of the smart display for existing Apple users and criticize the significant price hike for the Apple TV. The episode also covers the iPhone Duo pre-order and the hosts’ mixed feelings about the new smart home ecosystem.

Topics discussed

Sponsor: Usama Siddiqui's Scoundrel Tour Intro and iPhone Duo pre-order reminder First impressions of the Home View display Sponsor: Rula mental health services Sponsor: Capital One AI car shopping Critique of Home View utility vs. Apple Watch Comparison to Google Nest and app ecosystem Apple's history of defining new product categories Design flaws and HomePod/Apple TV integration Sponsor: Shopify for holiday business launch Sponsor: Usama Siddiqui's Scoundrel Tour Analysis of smart home pricing and Apple tax Alternatives and the Apple Smart Home collection Debate on the value of the Apple tax Is the Home View ambitious enough? Comparison to iPhone Duo and first-gen products Sponsor: Capital One AI car shopping Software integration and hardware reuse Siri AI performance and HomePod Mini upgrades Justifying price hikes via product longevity Future hardware: Cameras and M5 chips Outro and final thoughts on the launch
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