Apple HomeView leaves users fuming over glitchy Siri, missing features and ‘inferior AI’

“Siri, shape up.”

Apple just dropped the brand new HomeView — its answer to the Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub. For $299, the smart home display is an entertainment system and AI-powered assistant rolled into one.

Some of its main capabilities: it can make calls and send messages, plays music and entertainment, can answer questions through Siri, controls smart home devices and manage everyday tasks.

The visually appealing device can recognize up to six family members by face and voice. Additionally, each person can automatically set their own reminders, messages, and calendar events.

The 7-inch Liquid Retina display shows ultra-clear photos and video with dual speakers playing Spatial Audio. Apple also made sure it was protecting privacy as your camera and mic data are locked on its A18 chip — never shared with Apple.

Another feature is the newer, AI-powered Siri — Siri AI. On supported devices the new tech can do the following:

• Understand follow-up questions and maintain a conversation
• Search through messages, emails and photos for information
• Understand what’s displayed on your screen
• Draft and edit emails and messages
• Answer more complicated questions using information from the web
• Take actions across multiple apps

While the sleek device was meant to be an ideal added feature for iPhone users, not everyone is taking to the new tech. A slew of users are not happy with the product — even calling it the “worst piece of tech I’ve ever purchased.”

“A schizophrenic Siri with multiple voices, update requests when it’s been updated to the latest version, unable to open apps through voice command, unable to play music direct via Apple Music, and inferior AI. Apple support have no idea, either,” an X user wrote.

Another commented on the thread, that they had experienced the same problems, and offered some advice — the classic “turn it off and on again.” All they got was the Apple logo for about 20 minutes.

“So, a solution I saw online which worked for me – restart your iPhone. I was doubtful, but it worked for me (I also restarted the HomeView for the umpteenth time),” the user wrote.

What came next was a trove of comments where new HomeView buyers all saw technical issues. Some saw problems with Siri, others had issues with pictures and playing music.

In another X post, a user shared a video where they tried playing a song and it just glitched.  

“Apple HomeView is glitchy. For $299 it should ‘just work’ and it doesn’t,” the user said.