Apple's new HomeView smart home hub will support compatible CarPlay apps and iPhone widgets, despite having no App Store of its own. The details come from Apple's updated developer documents.
HomeView will run selected audio and video apps made for CarPlay. Apple's own list includes Apple Music Classical, Apple News, Apple TV and Audiobooks. Apps from other companies, such as Spotify, can also work if they meet the needed requirements.
More video apps may show up later as developers add support. For now, Apple has not named any specific video service from a third party. Users can't download apps straight to the device. HomeView pulls compatible apps from a connected iPhone or iPad instead.
Apple's developer agreement says iOS widgets can appear on both CarPlay and HomeView. That means third-party widgets could show more than music or video. They might give users other useful details right on the display.
Developers must make sure their widgets work well on the device. Widgets that need a lot of taps, or an unlocked iPhone, may not fit. HomeView is built for the whole family. It can recognise up to six people through its camera and voice features, then show each person their own information.
To open personal content or third-party apps, a user must be recognized by the hub. A paired iPhone or iPad that was unlocked recently must also be nearby. This keeps guests and other family members away from private details.
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HomeView has a 7-inch Liquid Retina display, an A18 chip and Siri AI features. It brings smart home controls, calling tools and entertainment into one device. Pre-orders are open now. The hub goes on sale on November 13, 2026.
HomeView's dependence on the iPhone may seem limiting, but it gives users access to many familiar apps and widgets. How useful the hub becomes will depend on how many developers decide to support it.