Apple's chaotic HomeView ad speaks to parents

Apple's new smart display ad shows a messy family morning. Non-parents find it stressful. Parents say it's the most honest thing Apple has ever made.

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Oct 13, 2026

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Apple's chaotic HomeView ad speaks to parents

Apple's new smart display ad shows a messy family morning. Non-parents find it stressful. Parents say it's the most honest thing Apple has ever made.

In brief

Apple's new smart display ad shows a messy family morning. Non-parents find it stressful. Parents say it's the most honest thing Apple has ever made. Apple's HomeView ad depicts realistic family chaos that resonates with parents of teens but confuses others, raising questions about whether the device will actually…

Quick answers

Does HomeView solve the problems?
Benedict Evans noted that the HomeView does not really solve any of the problems shown in the video. In one scene, a spontaneous FaceTime call from grandparents makes things worse, not better.
What is the key takeaway from Apple's chaotic HomeView ad speaks to parents?
Apple's HomeView ad depicts realistic family chaos that resonates with parents of teens but confuses others, raising questions about whether the device will actually reduce phone use.

Apple's unusual HomeView ad

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Apple released a commercial for its new HomeView smart display showing a family of five rushing through their morning routine.The ad is fast-paced and chaotic, featuring yelling, mess, misplaced keys and discarded eggshells.

Parents feel seen by the chaos

The ad depicts dad making French toast, mom losing and finding keys in her pocket, a proxy battle over the thermostat, a teenage boy helping himself to whipped cream from a can, and an unexpected…

Jen Tuohy's honest take

Senior reviewer and parent to two teens Jen Tuohy said the most unrealistic part of the video is that no one is holding an iPhone.

“The most unrealistic part of the video is that no one is holding an iPhone.”

Tech analyst finds it stressful

Tech analyst finds it stressful

Tech analyst Benedict Evans posted that the ad felt stressful and confusing. CNET editor at large Bridget Carey defended it, saying it was exactly what her morning is like and the most real ad she…

“It was exactly what my morning is like and it was the most real ad I've ever seen from Apple.”

The kitchen island problem

You gotta really like that screen on a speaker to drill a hole in your nice kitchen furniture for it.

The family has seemingly drilled a hole directly into the middle of their kitchen island to accommodate the HomeView's charging cable.This raises questions about how much people will actually modify their homes for the device.

Does HomeView solve the problems?

Benedict Evans noted that the HomeView does not really solve any of the problems shown in the video. In one scene, a spontaneous FaceTime call from grandparents makes things worse, not better.

The real test ahead

The HomeView could present a picture where everyone gets essential information from one shared screen and stays more present.

The short version

Apple's HomeView ad depicts realistic family chaos that resonates with parents of teens but confuses others, raising questions about whether the device will actually reduce phone use.

Read the original on The Verge

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