HomeView doesn’t natively support any video apps yet — not even Apple’s
Apple’s HomeView marketing calls out audiobooks, TV shows, and says you can “keep an eye on the match while you do the washing up,” but shys away about these features needing an iPhone connection. | Image: Apple Apple says HomeView is "the perfect way" to enjoy its audio and video entertainment apps, but some notable examples like Apple TV only work if you AirPlay it through your iPhone. As noted on the HomeView…
Key points
- Apple's HomeView smart hub does not natively support Apple TV, Apple Books audiobooks, Apple Music Classical or Apple News Plus, requiring AirPlay from an iPhone instead.
- Competing smart displays from Amazon and Google can natively stream Prime Video and YouTube without a phone connection.
- HomeView runs on Apple's A18 chip and lacks an App Store, functioning more like CarPlay than iOS or Apple TV.
Apple's new HomeView smart hub does not natively support any video apps, including Apple's own Apple TV, according to the HomeView spec page. Apple TV, Apple Books audiobooks, Apple Music Classical and Apple News Plus all require an iPhone to operate them through AirPlay.
Apple describes HomeView as "the perfect way" to enjoy its audio and video entertainment apps, but the AirPlay requirement appears in small print on the announcement page. The company has not explained why these apps are not natively supported.
How rivals compare
Competing smart display hardware such as Amazon's Echo Show and Google's Nest Hub devices can natively stream Prime Video and YouTube respectively, without requiring a phone connection. HomeView is primarily designed as a hub for managing smart home gadgets.
Subscription may be required to access some content and services. Some applications are not available in all areas. Select apps require a paired and compatible iPhone nearby.
— Apple
Hardware and software details
The hardware is not the limitation, as HomeView runs on Apple's A18 chip, the same processor used in an iPhone 16. Its software works more like CarPlay than iOS, iPadOS or Apple TV, since it needs a connected iPhone for many functions.
HomeView also has no App Store, which is typical for smart home hubs. That makes the CarPlay-style connection more important for third-party developers, since apps that project video or audio through the platform will work from day one. The Verge has asked Apple for more information on the missing native support and whether it might change.
