IT News on November 13th: Apple's HomeView officially went on sale on November 13th local time. Due to time zone differences, the orders from the first batch of pre-order users in Australia and New Zealand were delivered first.

In addition, since there are no Apple retail stores in New Zealand, Australian consumers have become the first group to be able to purchase this device directly within Apple Store.

HomeView targets Apple's first smart home hub, with features that fall between those of the smaller iPad and the HomePod. The desktop version is equipped with a 7-inch square screen that is connected to a hemispherical speaker base via stainless steel hinges, allowing for tilt adjustment; there is also a wall-mounted version that does not come with a base. The device is fitted with a 12-megapixel camera that can recognize up to six family members by face, and it allows for switching to the corresponding user's personal content in applications such as messages, FaceTime, and calendar.

HomeView does not have an independent App Store, but it comes pre-installed with Apple's own applications and is capable of displaying widgets from iPhone. The device is built around Siri AI and can be used for FaceTime video calls, watching videos, checking the calendar and weather, playing music, as well as controlling smart home accessories.

In terms of pricing, both the HomeView desktop version and the wall-mounted version cost $299 (Note from IT: The current exchange rate is approximately 1,999 RMB). The wall-mounted version does not include a power adapter or mounting bracket in its packaging; users need to purchase Schneider’s Schneider Home dedicated accessories separately. The starting price for the USB-C power supply bracket is $59.95 (approximately 400.8 RMB at the current exchange rate).

The initial launch markets for HomeView include Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This product will not be listed in the European Union (EU) because Siri AI is currently not available on the iOS platform in the EU region.

Also released on the same day as HomeView is the new Apple TV 4K model, priced at $299 (which is approximately 1,999 RMB at current exchange rates). It is equipped with a A19 chip, comes with 128GB of storage, supports Wi-Fi technology, and can be connected to up to four HomePod units to form a surround sound system. The new Apple TV 4K model is available in 30 countries and regions, including the United States.