An Apple HomeView alternative that runs on the iPad you already have

Apple HomeView is a new 7-inch smart display for the kitchen, built around Siri and the people it recognizes. Lifeboard is built around the whole family at once: everyone's calendar, the kids' chores and points, dinner plans and your smart home, on one bigger screen you probably already own, for $29.99 once.

The short version

HomeView is a $299, 7-inch square display that ships November 13. Lifeboard is $29.99 once and turns your iPad into a family hub with a shared calendar, a chore chart with rewards, a meal planner and Apple Home controls. Choose HomeView if you want Siri with Apple Intelligence on the counter and a home hub in the same device.

Based on Apple's announcement, last checked October 2026. Check Apple's site for the latest.

Lifeboard and HomeView at a glance

Lifeboard

Apple HomeView

What you buy

The app, $29.99 once, with a free 14-day trial. It runs on the iPad you already have

A HomeView display, $299. The wall-mounted model needs a mount, sold separately from $59.95

Subscription

None

None for the display itself

Cost over two years

$29.99

$299 on the counter, or about $360 on the wall with the least expensive mount

Screen

Your iPad, from the iPad mini to the 13-inch iPad Pro. Stands on the counter or mounts on the fridge

7 inches, square

Made for

The whole family at a glance. Everyone's plans, chores and points are on screen together

Each person. It recognizes up to six people and shows them their own information

Calendars

Everything in the iPad's Calendar app, including Google, Outlook and work calendars, color-coded by person

Apple's Calendar app

Smart home

Lights and dimmers, locks, garage doors, outlets, sensors, scenes and live cameras, from Apple's Home app

Apple's Home app, and it doubles as a home hub

Chores and rewards

Included. Chores live in Apple Reminders and earn points kids spend on rewards

Timers and reminders. No chore chart or rewards announced

Meals and groceries

Included. Plan dinners and the grocery list builds itself, synced to Reminders

Step-by-step recipes in Safari. No meal planner announced

Photo frame

Included, from your iCloud Photos albums

Included

Voice

Hands-free timers with "Hey Lifeboard"

Siri with Apple Intelligence

Why families choose Lifeboard

No subscription. One $29.99 purchase, with a free 14-day trial to try it first. Rewards, meal planning, recipes and the photo frame are all included.
Nothing new to buy. Most iPads from 2019 on run Lifeboard, so the one in the drawer gets a second life.
Nothing new to learn. Add events in Calendar and chores in Reminders, on any iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple Watch, and they show up on the counter.
Private by design. There's no Lifeboard account and no Lifeboard servers. Your family's information stays in Apple's apps and your iCloud.
Kid-proof. Guided Access, built into every iPad, keeps it in Lifeboard until a parent enters the passcode.

When HomeView might suit you better

You want Siri with Apple Intelligence on the counter, and video calls with FaceTime.
You don't have a home hub yet. HomeView doubles as one, like a HomePod or Apple TV, for automations and control when you're away.
You don't have an iPad from 2019 or later, and want something small that's made for the counter.

Or use both

Lifeboard and HomeView use the same Calendar, Reminders and Home apps, so they stay in step. Put HomeView where you want Siri and a hub, and the iPad running Lifeboard where the family checks the week, the chores and what's for dinner.

Getting started takes about five minutes

Install Lifeboard on an iPad running iPadOS 26 or later.
Tap Allow for Calendar, Reminders, Photos and Home.
Add your kids and pick their chore lists in Reminders.
Stand it on the counter and turn on Guided Access.

The Help page walks through each step.

Questions

Is Lifeboard made by Apple?

No. Lifeboard is an independent app and isn't affiliated with Apple.

Can Lifeboard control my smart home?

Yes. Lifeboard shows everything in Apple's Home app: lights and dimmers, locks, garage doors, outlets, sensors, scenes and live cameras.

Do I need a subscription?

No. Lifeboard is $29.99 once, with a free 14-day trial, and there's no Lifeboard account.

Which iPads work?

Any iPad that runs iPadOS 26 or later, including the iPad 8th generation (2020), iPad Air 3rd generation (2019), iPad mini 5th generation (2019) and every iPad Pro from 2018 on. See the full list.

Lifeboard launches this November. Be the first to know.

Get notified

Apple, HomeView, iPad and Siri are trademarks of Apple Inc. Lifeboard isn't affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Apple.