From Fastcompany · · 2m
Apple's HomeView has a Google problem
Apple's new smart display excels at hardware but locks photos behind iCloud, leaving the 1.5 billion Google Photos users out in the cold.
In brief
Apple's new smart display excels at hardware but locks photos behind iCloud, leaving the 1.5 billion Google Photos users out in the cold. Apple's HomeView smart display launches next month for two hundred ninety-nine dollars but relies on iCloud Photos, potentially alienating the majority of users who store photos…
A smart display for the kitchen
The author has used a Lenovo Smart Display for eight years, mainly to cycle through family photos. It also handles timers, music, weather and grocery lists.
Apple enters the market
Apple HomeView launches next month for two hundred ninety-nine dollars. It offers a high-resolution display, aluminum base, built-in subwoofer and facial recognition to show each person their messages and calendar events.
The photo problem
HomeView's photo features are designed around iCloud Photos. This is a tough sell for the author and the other one point five billion people who use Google Photos.
Without fresh photos
Without a steady supply of fresh photos, HomeView might wind up feeling a bit empty for users who don't store images with Apple.
The hardware design
HomeView resembles a giant Apple Watch with a seven-inch square-shaped screen. The main Faces view cycles through time, weather and photos. Users can swipe up to access apps and smart home controls.
Apple services dominate
HomeView emphasizes Apple apps and services including FaceTime, Apple Music, Podcasts and Safari. Third-party apps have a more limited role initially.
Some third-party access
If a music or video app is compatible with CarPlay, Apple may provide similar access on HomeView when a compatible iPhone is nearby. This would allow users to access third-party music like Spotify.
Widgets and home screen
HomeView will support third-party home screen widgets, similar to those on iOS, giving developers some avenue to reach users.
Photo features unclear
Apple says HomeView will offer portrait-style depth effects and support for shared albums that loved ones near and far can help fill. Details remain sparse.
“portrait-style depth effects”
Competitors offer more
Smart displays from Google and Amazon can surface photos of specific people, including new photos users upload to cloud storage over time. Hopefully HomeView will match this capability.
The core limitation
HomeView's reliance on iCloud Photos creates a fundamental problem for the vast majority of users who have chosen Google Photos as their photo storage solution.
At a glance
Apple's HomeView smart display launches next month for two hundred ninety-nine dollars but relies on iCloud Photos, potentially alienating the majority of users who store photos with Google.
