Apple’s smart home push includes doorbell, lock, thermostat co-developed with LG
CUPERTINO, California – Apple’s upcoming push into smart home devices will include a doorbell, thermostat and other accessories developed through an unusual partnership with LG Electronics.
asserted
push → include → Electronics
The products will be part of an ecosystem of devices that work with Apple’s new smart home hub, as well as an upgraded HomePod mini and fresh TV set-top box, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
uncertain
that → work → matter
The new Apple devices are set to be introduced on Oct 13.
asserted
devices → set → Oct
The products developed with South Korea’s LG will also include a smart deadbolt lock, indoor security camera, outdoor security camera and floodlight camera, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the undertaking is private.
asserted
undertaking → develop → lock
Though the two companies worked together to develop the accessories, the products will carry the LG brand.
asserted
products → work → brand
The South Korean firm is handling manufacturing and product support.
asserted
firm → handle → manufacturing
Apple has used this strategy before: It has discreetly worked with companies like Foxconn Technology Group’s Belkin and Logitech International SA to develop products that sell under other brands.
asserted
that → use → brands
This arrangement with so-called second-party suppliers gives Apple a way to quickly expand its ecosystem without shouldering the full cost and complexity of producing and supporting a wide range of accessories.
Apple can also help shape the products’ design, tailor their features and oversee engineering while keeping the work largely under wraps.
asserted
Apple → call → wraps
Development of the LG accessories has lagged behind Apple’s own devices, and the products are not expected to reach consumers for at least a few more months.
asserted
products → lag → months
Spokespeople for Apple and LG declined to comment.
asserted
Spokespeople → decline → Apple
In recent weeks, LG has sought regulatory approval for the devices, including with the US Federal Communications Commission and UL Solutions, a product certification company.
asserted
LG → seek → Commission
In many cases, the databases for both organisations include filings that reveal product names, specifications, features and drawings of the accessories.
asserted
that → include → accessories
That includes products labelled as the LG Video Doorbell Wired, LG Floodlight Cam, LG Outdoor Cam Plug-In, LG Indoor Cam Plug-In, LG Smart Deadbolt Lock, LG Smart Thermostat and LG Temperature Sensor.
asserted
That → include → Wired
LG requested that photos and more precise details on the products remain confidential until early 2027.
asserted
photos → request → 2027
The filings do not mention Apple’s involvement.
asserted
filings → mention → involvement
Many of the devices include support for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networks, as well as Thread and Matter, two smart home protocols embraced by Apple and its rivals in recent years.
asserted
Many → include → years
The door lock also supports UWB, or ultra-wideband capability, a feature that allows for auto-unlocking when users approach their door.
asserted
users → support → door
For Apple, the new home ecosystem and devices will mark a formal reboot of HomeKit, a platform it launched in 2014 that has gained little traction compared with offerings from Amazon.com and Alphabet’s Google.
asserted
that → mark → Amazon.com
Apple aims to use its smart home devices and Siri AI assistant to breathe new life into the category.
asserted
Apple → aim → category
The company is also planning its own additional offerings in the future, including a privacy-centric home-monitoring device, a version of its smart home hub that attaches the screen to a robotic arm, and an in-home security monitoring service, Bloomberg News has reported.
asserted
News → plan → home
For LG, a company better known for TVs and washing machines, the devices will mark its own smart home expansion.
asserted
devices → know → expansion
The line-up represents its first indoor camera in nearly a decade, as well as its first outdoor camera, thermostat, floodlight camera and doorbell in recent history.
asserted
up → represent → history
The company also is selling its first smart lock outside of South Korea.
asserted
company → sell → Korea
This would put Apple and LG in closer competition with Amazon’s Ring and Google’s Nest, which are firmly entrenched in the smart home.
asserted
which → put → home
Each already offers similar devices that let customers keep tabs on every corner of their house and surrounding property.
asserted
customers → offer → house
Apple and LG have a long history.
asserted
Apple → have → history
LG Display supplies displays for many Apple products, including screens for devices.
asserted
Display → supply → devices
Apple has also worked with LG Electronics on integrating its services into LG TV sets.
asserted
Apple → work → sets
Nearly a decade ago, when Apple temporarily exited the external computer monitor market, it co-developed monitors with LG to work with the iPhone maker’s laptops.
asserted
it → exit → laptops
The Aporia
