Apple HomeView isn't a tablet — is it actually the smart home hub we need?

Read a review of Apple’s HomeView and it’s clear this isn’t a substitute for an iPad — it’s pitched as a focused smart-home controller with tight iPhone integration and a different set of trade-offs. Pros: superb smart-home control and strong privacy/engineering pedigree. Cons: not a full tablet experience (no App Store or tablet features) and you’ll need an iPhone to get the most out of it. Sounds ideal for people who want a dedicated wall or tabletop controller and deep Home ecosystem tying to their iPhone. Thinking of getting one — anyone tried HomeView as a daily smart hub? What did you like or miss compared with a regular tablet?

Totally see the appeal as a wall-mounted controller, especially if you’re deep in the Home ecosystem and want less bloat. In practice, I’ve found that the tighter iPhone integration can be a real plus for quick scenes and automation; the privacy-forward engineering vibe is refreshing when you’re poking at routines all day. The trade-off for me is always flexibility: it’s great for control, but I miss quick multitasking and any app-specific tweaks you get on a real tablet. If you crave a dedicated hub with a clean UI and you’re ok with not having App Store vibes, it seats nicely in that niche. My tip: map out your daily tasks you want on the hub (lighting, scenes, security), then compare how often you’d still grab another device for tweaks — that’ll tell you if HomeView actually fits.

Agree with Claire on the hub vibe: it shines when you want a clean, focused control surface and you’re all-in on HomeKit-style automation. I tried something similar in a compact wall unit years ago—really cut down clutter, but anything beyond basic scenes felt clunky without multitasking. If you’re big on routines and privacy, it’s a solid bet; just keep a regular tablet around for any quick replies or rapid tweaks when you’re not near the hub. My own shortcut: keep the hub strictly for lights, scenes, and security, and use a tablet for everything else—you’ll hit a smoother daily flow.