Apple Unveils New Smart Home Lineup and Faces iPhone Duo Shortages
The tech giant expands its smart home range while grappling with massive supply chain constraints for its latest flagship smartphone.
Apple HomeView and the Smart Home Ecosystem
Apple has had a busy week, announcing a brand-new line of smart home devices as part of its "Welcome home" campaign. The rollout includes an entirely new hub alongside significant updates to existing products.
The standout addition is the $299 HomeView, a smart hub featuring a 7-inch Liquid Retina display. Available in both tabletop and wall-mounted versions, the device is powered by Siri AI and can recognise users, adapting information based on their proximity. HomeView supports FaceTime calls, Apple Music, and photo slideshows, with sales beginning on 13 November.
Updates have also arrived for the Apple TV 4K. The fourth-generation device is equipped with the latest A19 chip, enabling full Siri AI functionality. The new Siri Remote now includes Find My support and a built-in speaker to help locate it if misplaced. The device itself has added microphones, allowing for voice commands without the need for a remote. It is priced at $299.
HomePod mini 2 and iPhone Duo Shortages
Apple also introduced the $149 HomePod mini 2, which utilises an S10 chip to improve sound quality. A notable feature is "Sound Glow," which animates the top of the speaker based on the rhythm of the music and the colours of the album artwork. However, Siri AI functionality will be added to this model via a future software update.
Simultaneously, the company's new smartphone, the iPhone Duo, has caused an unprecedented stir in the market. Within minutes of pre-orders opening, delivery times surged. Currently, in the US, the device is not expected to arrive until January 2027, representing a three-month wait. On the secondary market, resellers are already asking for up to $5,000 for the first units.
What to Expect at the End of October
Apple's announcements are set to continue. The company is hosting a special media event in Los Angeles on 28 October. It is expected that the event will showcase new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBooks with OLED displays, iMacs and base-model MacBook Pros powered by the M6 chip, and a new version of the iPad mini.
These developments are significant for the Georgian market, as Apple’s new ecosystem devices traditionally generate high interest among local consumers. However, the global iPhone shortage may also impact Georgian retail networks, potentially affecting both the pricing and availability of the devices.