Apple collaborates with LG on a smart doorbell and other home devices

Apple is transforming its smart home ecosystem. The company has several devices in development, including a new smart home control hub. However, Apple aims to go further; to that end, it is reportedly collaborating with LG to launch home accessories such as doorbells, security cameras, and even a thermostat.

According to a famous publication report, Apple is co-developing a new range of smart home accessories that will complement its future home devices. The lineup is said to include a wired video doorbell, a thermostat, a smart deadbolt lock, indoor and outdoor security cameras, a floodlight camera, and a temperature sensor.

LG will market these devices under its own brand

The report adds that although Apple and LG are developing the products collaboratively, they will be sold under the LG brand; the South Korean company will handle manufacturing and product support. This arrangement allows Apple to expand its ecosystem without bearing the full cost and complexity associated with manufacturing and supporting a wider range of accessories. Nevertheless, the company retains influence over design, features, and engineering.

Regulatory filings list the product names: 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. The devices are expected to support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as well as Thread and Matter-smart home standards adopted by Apple and its competitors in recent years. There is also talk that the smart lock will feature Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, enabling automatic unlocking as the user approaches the door.

However, these accessories will be part of a broader ecosystem built around Apple's new smart home hub. Apple reportedly plans to launch three new smart home devices: a home hub, an upgraded version of the HomePod mini, and a new TV set-top box. These devices have been designed entirely by Apple. LG's devices will complement them as part of the smart home ecosystem.

According to the report, this initiative represents a relaunch of HomeKit, Apple's smart home platform originally launched in 2014. HomeKit has failed to achieve the same level of adoption as Amazon's Ring and Google's Nest. Additionally, an improved version of Siri is expected to help boost Apple's ecosystem.

Apple to launch its devices ahead of LG

Apple is expected to unveil its new home devices on October 13. However, we will likely have to wait a bit longer to see what LG has in store; reports suggest that LG is not expected to launch its accessories until a few months later.

If the collaboration between Apple and LG seems unusual, it is worth noting that the two companies have a long history of working together. LG Display supplies screens for various Apple products, while LG Electronics has collaborated with Apple on integrating its services into LG-branded televisions. That said, the two companies were also rivals when LG still manufactured smartphones. Apple has previously taken a similar approach with companies like Belkin and Logitech.

For LG, this product lineup would represent a significant expansion into the smart home device sector. The indoor camera involved in this project would be the company's first in nearly a decade, marking a return to the category alongside its first outdoor camera, thermostat, floodlight camera, and smart doorbell in recent years.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kahekashan

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Kahekashan is a passionate technophile with a keen eye for cutting-edge gadgets, emerging technologies, and everything in the digital realm. Raised in a Defence family with strong values and a background in literature, she has consistently pursued excellence in every endeavour. Her last full-time assignment involved content writing with the Indian School of Business.

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