Your kitchen counter probably has enough gadgets already. Apple would like to put one more there, and this one recognizes your face. At its "Welcome Home" event on Oct. 13, Apple introduced a $299 smart display called HomeView that promises to make running your home as easy as having a conversation.

And Apple has bigger plans for Siri. The company also unveiled a new HomePod mini, an upgraded Apple TV 4K and a collection of smart home accessories. Together, they could change how you interact with everything from your front door to your television. But there's a catch. Some of the most interesting AI features require compatible Apple devices, and buying into Apple's connected home could get expensive.

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Apple says personal information stays protected through facial recognition and checks involving a paired iPhone or iPad. To display sensitive content, the system requires the recognized person's paired device to be nearby and recently unlocked. That adds an important layer of security, especially in homes where several people share the same screen. Beyond the personalized experience, HomeView handles FaceTime video calls with Center Stage, which keeps you in the frame as you move around.

It can display recipes while you're cooking or help locate a missing iPhone using Find My. You can also control compatible smart home equipment without opening another app.

One feature caught my attention. HomeView can display up to nine live security camera feeds simultaneously. You could check a package delivery or see what's happening in the backyard without pulling out your phone. Both HomeView models cost $299. Preorders opened Oct. 13, with availability beginning Nov. 13. However, the wall-mounted version requires a separate mounting accessory, starting at $59.95.

However, there's an important compatibility requirement. HomeView can provide general Siri AI conversations without an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad. More personalized features require a paired, compatible device running current software with Siri AI enabled. Siri AI on HomeView is also launching in beta. In addition, Apple says certain AI features that use server-based models will have daily usage limits. The company plans to offer expanded access for a fee in the future.

Apple's HomePod mini 2 is getting its first major refresh. The compact speaker now costs $149 and comes in five colors, including pink and green. Inside, Apple added an S10 chip that processes audio in real time to improve sound performance. There's also a new feature called Sound Glow. The speaker's illuminated top responds to music, changing colors and pulsing along with what you're playing.

The bigger story is what happens when Siri AI arrives. Apple says the speaker will eventually support more natural conversations and personalized requests when paired with a compatible Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone. It can also recognize different household members by their voices. However, Siri AI won't be available when HomePod mini 2 first ships. Apple says it will arrive through a future software update. That's a pretty important detail if the smarter assistant is your main reason for upgrading. HomePod mini 2 is available for preorder now and goes on sale October 30.

ASKED SIRI TO CALL YOUR BANK? A SCAM COULD COST THOUSANDS Apple also introduced a new Apple TV 4K, and one of its most useful features has nothing to do with picture quality. The fourth-generation streaming box includes three microphones that can hear Siri requests from across the room. That means you can search for a show or ask a question about what you're watching without reaching for the remote. Siri AI can also handle follow-up questions, such as asking where a program was filmed.

The new Apple TV 4K runs on Apple's A19 chip, which the company says delivers up to 50% faster CPU performance than the previous generation. It also supports a four-speaker surround sound setup using compatible HomePod speakers arranged in matching front and rear pairs. And there's one improvement I think plenty of people will appreciate. The newest Siri Remote can play a sound to help you locate it. It also supports Precision Finding with certain compatible iPhones. That's helpful when the remote disappears somewhere in the couch.

The new Apple TV 4K costs $299 and arrives November 13. However, you may not need to buy one to try Siri AI. Apple says the assistant is also available in beta on second-generation Apple TV 4K models and later. To use it, you or the person managing your Apple Home will need a compatible Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad running the latest software with Siri AI turned on.

Apple is also making a bigger push into the connected home with Apple Home Collection. The company worked with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric to develop cameras, smart locks and thermostats that connect directly through Apple's Home app. The LG Smart Deadbolt Lock is particularly interesting. It uses Ultra Wideband technology to recognize when someone approaches with a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch carrying a home key. The door can then unlock automatically without requiring a tap. You can also use a PIN or backup key. The lock starts at $349.95.

This is the part of Apple's announcement that deserves a closer look. A screen that recognizes your face can be convenient, especially when several people share a home. But what happens when that same system connects to your security cameras and personal information? Apple says HomeView uses protected processing environments called Secure Exclaves to isolate camera and microphone data from the rest of the system. Separately, HomeView checks that it recognizes the user's face and that their paired iPhone or iPad is present and has been recently unlocked before displaying personal information.

Siri requests can run directly on the device or use Apple's Private Cloud Compute technology. Apple says data processed through Private Cloud Compute is neither stored nor accessible to the company.

For compatible security cameras, Apple also supports end-to-end encrypted HomeKit Secure Video storage. Certain AI video summaries and recording features require an eligible iCloud+ subscription. Those safeguards are encouraging. Still, I would want to understand exactly which household members can access the system before setting everything up. I'd also review camera placement and sharing permissions, particularly for devices inside the home. For additional privacy guidance, see our CyberGuy article, Are Apple devices spying?

APPLE'S $250M SIRI SETTLEMENT: HOW TO CLAIM UP TO $95 Apple's latest announcements could make managing a connected home easier, especially for households that already rely on iPhones. HomeView gives you a shared control center, while the upgraded Siri could make everyday requests feel more natural. However, the cost adds up quickly. HomeView starts at $299, and the new Apple TV 4K costs another $299. Add compatible cameras or a smart lock, and you're spending considerably more. Some camera features also require an iCloud+ subscription.

There's also the question of how much of this technology you actually need. If you already have a smart speaker that controls your lights and a television that streams your favorite shows, Apple's latest hardware may offer more convenience than you need. I'd start by checking which Apple devices you already own and whether they'll support the new Siri features. Then think about which upgrades would actually make your day easier. After all, spending hundreds of dollars to save a few taps on your phone deserves a little consideration.

Would you feel comfortable having an AI-powered screen that recognizes your face and connects to your home's security cameras? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.