HilliTech's Newsletter: A Home with a View

Apple naming is almost always obvious in hindsight, so a device you use in your home that you view being called HomeView feels a little too on the nose.

It's going to be a busy few weeks for anyone covering Apple. Beyond that, my life is also extra busy. So, as much as I hate to say it, expect very minimal newsletters in the next few weeks, depending on time. If time permits, I'll do a longer one.

But, for today, here's what you can expect from a shorter newsletter.

It's called HomeView

We've been calling this home hub tablet device "Apple Home Hub" for years because we didn't land on a better name for it. Regulatory filings revealed "HomeView" a year ago, but no one bothered trying to use it.

Well, the final leaks before the event confirmed it, this 6-inch square tablet device is called Apple HomeView.

Apple smart home control center is called ‘HomeView’

Apple’s new smart home controller is the HomeView, and while it’s not shipping in October, you’ll be able to get your hands on it before the end of 2026.

AppleInsiderMalcolm Owen

I don't have anything to say except it's a fine enough name. Apple's naming isn't always easy to nail down, like with iPhone Duo. It's apps are generally single words associated with an aspect of the app, and it seems HomeView picks up on that because the nature of this device is viewing.

Apple won't have an App Store for the tablet. It'll have Apple-related software, and probably get widgets donated to it by your iPhone similar to iPhone widgets on Mac. I wonder if you'll even be able to watch videos on it, probably not.

We're only two days away from knowing, so beyond the speculation I've already shared, let's not dwell on it any more.

Owning an Apple Home: second-party accessories could be the reboot we need

Matter was meant to take the guesswork out of the smart home, but as more accessory makers silo themselves in their own ecosystems, Apple needs to take dramatic action on Tuesday.

AppleInsiderWesley Hilliard

If we trust it, Home Hub privacy could lead a smart home revolution

A new Apple Home hub could kill “smart” appliances, but only if Apple can succeed in convincing us its devices don’t retain audio and video recordings.

AppleInsiderWesley Hilliard

It does seem Apple will stagger these smart home releases. While I am excited to try everything out, my schedule and my wallet thank Apple for spreading things out a bit.

Apple TV and HomePod mini in October, then HomeView in November.

That's all folks

I really don't mean to keep reducing the nature of these newsletters, but time doesn't always allow more writing. After the busy season is over, I plan to reevaluate how I might approach this blog and publishing for it. I still want to publish a newsletter each week, at a minimum, but putting a little work in each day could help make things a little easier.

I do appreciate everyone that takes the time to read my thoughts here and my coverage at AppleInsider. Expect another short newsletter next week, as it is my one-year wedding anniversary, then the week after I'll be traveling for my best friend's wedding. Busy busy.

Things should normalize a bit in November, but expect regular writing from me here and at AppleInsider regardless.