HomeView doesn’t natively support any video apps yet — not even Apple’s
Apple’s HomeView smart home hub does not natively support several of the company’s entertainment services, including Apple TV, despite promotional material presenting it as a way to enjoy Apple’s audio and video apps. Those services require a nearby paired iPhone, making the device’s phone connection central to how people access them.
HomeView’s specifications also list Apple Books audiobooks, Apple Music Classical and Apple News Plus as unavailable natively. Apple’s A18 chip is not the apparent limitation: the software works more like CarPlay, and the hub has no App Store. Amazon’s Echo Show and Google’s Nest Hub can stream Prime Video and YouTube natively, respectively; Apple has been asked whether HomeView’s limitations might change.
- HomeView needs a nearby iPhone for several Apple services.
- Apple TV is not natively supported on the hub.
- Its software works more like CarPlay than iOS.
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Apple’s HomeView is a screen-equipped hub for controlling smart home devices and using Apple services. It is designed to work with an iPhone, which connects the hub to some features and content.
Apple makes entertainment and information services including Apple TV, Apple Music and Apple News Plus. HomeView has no App Store, and some services depend on a nearby paired iPhone rather than running directly on the hub. Amazon and Google sell similar smart displays that can play some video services on the devices themselves, so the difference affects how people access content.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Requiring a paired iPhone could let Apple keep HomeView’s software simpler and make the phone the consistent place to manage playback and accounts. That approach may suit people already in Apple’s ecosystem and avoid duplicating services or app controls across devices.
The case against
A smart home hub promoted for enjoying Apple’s media services would reasonably be expected to play them on its own. Requiring a nearby iPhone makes the hub less convenient and capable than competing displays that stream video directly, and leaves some Apple services unavailable despite the hardware apparently being able to support them.