The development of Apple’s smart home hub, HomeView, was finalized quite some time ago. However, its launch faced numerous delays as Apple awaited the release of an updated version of Siri. It’s only now that the product has officially hit the market, after spending over six months in storage—a wait that has left its hardware feeling somewhat outdated.

HomeView is built to integrate seamlessly with the latest iteration of Siri, which boasts enhanced capabilities such as accessing personal content and distinguishing between different family members, with a strong emphasis on voice-controlled functionality. Unfortunately, Siri’s development encountered repeated setbacks, failing to meet Apple’s standards on multiple occasions, which in turn led to the continuous postponement of HomeView’s release.

The device’s design flaws are evident: its thick bezels, reliance on the A18 processor, and 8GB of memory all point to a product that hasn’t kept pace with modern technological advancements. Despite these shortcomings, HomeView’s price tag of $299 positions it as a competitive option in the market. Apple managed to mitigate potential price hikes by stockpiling inventory ahead of time, thereby sidestepping the impact of rising component costs due to memory shortages.

When compared to the entry-level iPad, HomeView emerges as a more fitting choice for the majority of smart home applications. Looking ahead, Apple is reportedly working on a premium version of HomeView, which will feature a robotic arm capable of automatically orienting the screen towards the speaker, adding a new dimension to its functionality.