Apple launches HomeView, but only the HomePod Mini 2 and Apple TV are coming to Europe
A wide range of home accessories is being launched, in collaboration with other manufacturers, but they will not be available in Europe due to the dispute with the Commission concerning Siri AI
Apple is launching a range of smart home products, marking the full roll-out of John Ternus’s hardware strategy. However, most of these products – which are entering a market dominated primarily by Amazon – will not be available in Europe. Starting with HomeView, a system comprising a display and speakers designed to become the digital heart of the home. It will not be available on our continent due to Apple’s disputes with Europe concerning Siri AI.
Let’s start with what’s coming to Italia: HomePod Mini 2 and Apple TV 4K. Both are available to pre-order from today. The HomePod mini 2 costs €169 and is available from Friday 30 October, whilst the Apple TV 4K costs €349 and arrives in shops on Friday 13 November.
The new feature that links the two products is the surround sound. For the first time, four HomePod mini 2s, paired with the new Apple TV 4K, form a four-speaker home cinema system. The speakers recognise their position in the room and automatically calibrate the timing and levels audio.
The HomePod mini 2 features the Apple S10 chip and uses computational audio to analyse music in real time, optimising dynamic range and sound intensity. It can be used on its own, in pairs for a stereo effect, or in a multi-room setup. It can also act as the default speaker for your Mac, for films, video games and FaceTime audio and video calls. Voice control of the smart home remains a key feature: multiple users can manage devices and automations.
The new Apple TV 4K is powered by the A19 chip, the same one found in the iPhone 17. Compared to the previous generation, it promises a CPU that’s up to 50 per cent faster and a GPU that’s up to twice as fast. The chip features a dedicated AV1 decoder, enabling high-quality streaming that uses less bandwidth. The Siri Remote retains its design but can now be tracked using the Find My app, with ‘Precise Location’ and the option to make it ring.
