Apple launches HomeView, a $299 home screen built around Siri AI, and says expanded access to its server-side AI will cost a fee

Apple announced HomeView on 13 October, a 7-inch home display in tabletop and wall-mounted versions at $299 (U.S.) each. “Pre-orders start today, with availability beginning November 13.” Apple presents it as the home of Siri AI, its more conversational assistant. Siri requests on HomeView can be processed on the device or on Private Cloud Compute, Apple's servers.

The footnotes carry the news for the business. “Siri AI is available in beta in HomeView software version 27.2.” “Certain Apple Intelligence features that rely on server-side models are subject to daily usage limits.” And: “Expanded access to such features will be available for a fee in the future.” Apple does not say what the fee will be, or which model powers Siri AI.

Siri AI on HomeView is available in English in the US, Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and the UK. HomeView is not sold in the European Union, Apple says, because Siri AI is not yet available in iOS there.

The same day Apple announced a $149 HomePod mini 2. Its release says Siri AI is coming to it in a future software update, and a footnote calls that a free update. So the basic Siri AI comes with the hardware, while heavier use of Apple's cloud models is capped daily and is to be sold for a fee later.

• Confirmed HomeView costs $299 (U.S.); pre-orders started on 13 October and availability begins on 13 November, with Siri AI in beta. Apple Newsroom
• Claimed Apple says server-side Apple Intelligence features have daily usage limits, and expanded access will be available for a fee in the future. Apple Newsroom
• Confirmed The $149 HomePod mini 2 gets Siri AI in a future software update, which a footnote says will be free. Apple Newsroom