Summary
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 spec page, Apple TV, Apple Books audiobooks, Apple Music Classical, and Apple News Plus aren’t natively supported on the smart hub, so you’ll have to use your phone to operate them.
HomeView doesn’t natively support any video apps yet — not even Apple’s
Apple’s HomeView requires access to your iPhone for Apple TV, audiobooks, and even Apple News Plus.
Apple’s HomeView requires access to your iPhone for Apple TV, audiobooks, and even Apple News Plus.
HomeView is foremostly designed as a hub for managing smart home gadgets, but competing smart display hardware like Amazon’s Echo Show and Google’s Nest Hub devices can natively stream Prime Video and YouTube, respectively, without requiring a phone connection. Apple TV is also featured in at least one promotional image for HomeView, but the AirPlay requirement is in small print on its announcement page:
“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.”
We have reached out to Apple for more information on why HomeView doesn’t natively support Apple TV, Apple Books audiobooks, Apple Music Classical, and Apple News Plus, and if that may change in the future.
The hardware itself certainly isn’t a limitation — HomeView runs on Apple’s A18 chip, the same processor that powers an iPhone 16. Its software functions more like CarPlay than iOS, iPadOS, or even Apple TV, since, like CarPlay, it requires a connected iPhone for many functions. The HomeView also doesn’t have an App Store (which is typical for smart home hubs), which makes that CarPlay connection even more significant for third-party app developers, since apps that support projecting video or audio through the platform will work easily from day one.