Apple is working on a new ecosystem of smart home devices through a partnership with LG, according to a Bloomberg report. The new devices include a smart lock, a thermostat, and a doorbell, all designed to integrate with the company’s smart home hub, another upcoming product that will reportedly launch on October 13. It is expected that the hub will include a 6-inch square display that can be placed on a countertop or mounted on a wall. The smart lock will reportedly use ultra-wideband (UWB) to unlock as you get close to the door.
The two companies are also working on a range of security cameras, including indoor and outdoor models, as well as a floodlight. Both these devices will reportedly carry the LG brand, despite being developed by both companies. LG’s lineup won’t be ready for “a few more months,” according to reports.
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According to reports, Apple is ramping up its competition with Amazon and Google with these smart home devices. While Apple premiered its HomeKit smart home platform in 2014, and has gradually expanded both its capabilities and the number of third-party devices that support.the technology, this product lags behind Amazon Alexa and Google Home, both of which have much larger ecosystems and their own in-house products. The upcoming LG suite potentially helps Apple make HomeKit relevant, and ensure that at least some major devices are designed with the platform in mind.
Apple is expected to be releasing a range of new and upgraded smart home devices on October 13. The highlight is an expected smart home hub with a small square touchscreen and options for either an iMac G4-style base or wall mounting.
Other launches could include a long-awaited Apple TV 4K update and a Siri AI-compatible refresh of the HomePod mini smart speaker.
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The hub is designed to serve as a central control point for connected home devices and is expected to use artificial intelligence to recognize household members and provide personalized content and responses. The device would also place Apple’s upgraded Siri AI at the center of its smart-home strategy. The company is expected to use faster processors in the updated HomePod mini and Apple TV to support improved Siri capabilities.
The HomePod mini update would be the first refresh of the small smart speaker since its debut in 2020. Apple is also reportedly preparing its first new Apple TV set-top box since 2022. These devices are expected to have designs similar to their existing versions while receiving upgraded internal hardware.