HomeView Tidbits: Mirror, Sleep Timer, and Other Details

Apple's HomeView is out today, and we're finally learning all the little details about the new hub. We've rounded up a list of tidbits for those setting up a HomeView or thinking about getting one. Sunglasses Apple says the HomeView probably won't recognize you if you have your face covered, including when wearing sunglasses. If HomeView isn't identifying you, Apple suggests removing anything that would block the camera from seeing your face. The HomeView's screen needs to be angled toward your face, you need to be centered in the frame and closest to the camera if other people are around, and the HomeView can't be blocked by overhanging shelves and cabinets. Apple says the HomeView needs front-facing, even light. Mirror There's a "Mirror" in the HomeView Control Center that lets you use the camera to see yourself. There's an option to turn on an edge light for face illumination, along with 1x and 2x zoom. Guest Controls The HomeView owner has multiple options for what guests can access. Safari can be turned on or off, or adult websites can be blocked. By default, guests can use Siri for general knowledge, writing help, and math help, but ‌Siri‌ features can be turned off. Explicit content can be turned on or off. There's an option to choose which Apple Music subscription supplies music for an unrecognized user. Wi-Fi/Cellular The HomeView authenticates people through face recognition and by making sure their iOS device is nearby, recently unlocked, and on the same Wi-Fi network as the HomeView. If there's a Wi-Fi outage, Apple says cellular can also be used to unlock personal content as long as it's in the same location and was recently on the Wi-Fi network. Sleep Timer You can set a sleep timer on HomeView to pause whatever media is playing when the timer goes off. No Buttons There is no button to turn the HomeView on or off, or restart it. It can be restarted from the Settings app or by briefly unplugging it. Logins You can log into websites and apps using your iPhone, similar to how the Apple TV works. Notifications The HomeView only has notifications for phone calls and home devices, with an option to toggle on critical notifications. There are no other notification settings or options. Liquid Glass The transparency of the Liquid Glass interface can be adjusted from clear to opaque like on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Personal Data Lockouts If someone tries to repeatedly access personal content on HomeView that needs authentication, facial recognition via the camera is disabled and you'll need to prove identity with a registered device. Popular StoriesApple Expected to Release New Products on Next Four FridaysSunday October 18, 2026 11:01 am PDT by Joe RossignolApple likely plans to release MacBook Pro models with OLED displays, 14-inch MacBook Pro and iMac models with M6 chips, and/or an iPad mini 8 with an OLED display on Friday, November 6, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The devices are expected to be announced on Tuesday, October 27 or Wednesday, October 28. If this timeframe proves to be accurate, then Apple will be releasing new...Apple Releasing Yet Another Two New Products Next WeekApple's massive wave of product launches will finally end next week, with its all-new HomeView smart home hub and the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K set to be released on Friday, November 13 and no other major hardware releases expected for the remainder of the year. Since late August, Apple has announced more than 25 new devices and accessories in one of its busiest stretches...Here's a New Tour of Apple's HomeView SoftwareSaturday October 31, 2026 8:47 am PDT by Joe RossignolBroadcasts app developer Steve Troughton-Smith has shared a Halloween treat for us today: a tour of the software on Apple's upcoming HomeView smart home hub. Apple has already demoed the HomeView to selected tech reporters and content creators, but Troughton-Smith offers a closer look at several features, interfaces, and apps. Using a virtualized HomeView created by Guilherme Rambo,...