Apple develops a series of smart home devices but lets LG take the name?
(Dan Tri) - Apple is said to be working with LG to develop a series of smart home devices, from doorbells, door locks to security cameras. However, the products will carry the LG brand instead of the Apple logo.
Apple may be preparing a bigger step into the smart home market, instead of primarily providing the HomeKit platform with devices like HomePod and Apple TV as it is today.
According to Bloomberg, the American technology company is said to have cooperated with LG Electronics to develop a series of connected accessories for the home, including doorbells with cameras, smart door locks, thermostats and a variety of security cameras.
Apple and LG have not yet made an official announcement about this partnership. Therefore, information related to the product, launch time or distribution method should still be considered unconfirmed.
Apple co-designed the product, LG named the product
According to documents LG sent to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and certification organization UL Solutions, the Korean company is preparing a number of new smart home devices.
The discovered list includes LG Video Doorbell Wired - a doorbell with a camera that uses a wired connection; LG Smart Deadbolt Lock - smart door lock; LG Smart Thermostat - thermostat; LG Temperature Sensor - temperature sensor with some indoor camera models, outdoor cameras and security cameras with integrated headlights.
Bloomberg quoted sources familiar with the matter as saying that Apple and LG have jointly participated in the development of some of the above products. However, if the plan is implemented as expected, the devices may carry the LG brand instead of the Apple logo.
LG is also said to be in charge of production and customer support.
Apple is said to be collaborating with LG to develop a series of smart home devices, from doorbells, door locks to security cameras (Photo: MacRumors).
This approach, if correct, could help Apple quickly expand the number of devices deeply compatible with its smart home ecosystem without directly taking on the entire manufacturing and after-sales process.
According to Bloomberg, Apple can participate in a number of stages such as design, features and engineering to ensure the device works well with its ecosystem.
Notably, the filings with regulators currently do not mention Apple. LG also requested that some images and details about the devices be kept secret until early 2027.
Therefore, it cannot be confirmed whether the products appearing in the above filing will eventually be commercialized within the framework of cooperation with Apple or not.
The door lock can recognize the iPhone when approaching
Records and information cited by Bloomberg also reveal some technologies that may appear on this product group.
Some devices are said to support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread and Matter - connection standards that are widely used in the smart home field.
Notably, the smart door lock model is said to have Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology.
UWB allows compatible devices to determine distance and location with high accuracy. If deeply integrated with the Apple ecosystem, this technology could theoretically help door locks recognize when a user approaches with a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch.
New smart home devices can be deeply integrated with the Apple ecosystem but carry the LG brand instead of the Apple logo (Photo: Apple).
From there, features like automatic unlocking or user authentication can be implemented. However, Bloomberg has not said exactly how Apple and LG will apply UWB on commercial products.
Apple has now used UWB on multiple generations of iPhone and Apple Watch for features like AirTag search, device locator, and digital keys.
Therefore, the fact that this technology appears on a smart door lock model raises the possibility that the iPhone or Apple Watch will play a more important role in the smart home ecosystem that Apple is building.
Piece of the puzzle in Apple's smart home ambitions
One of the notable products mentioned is the new smart home control center device, codenamed J490.
According to previous reports, this device may have a square screen of about 6 inches, support desk or wall mounting and act as a control center for home devices.
The product is also said to be capable of making video calls, displaying information and deeply integrating with Siri and artificial intelligence features.
Apple is said to be developing a smart home control center with a 6-inch screen, which plays the role of connecting devices in the family (Photo: 9to5Mac).
Bloomberg previously said that Apple could introduce new smart home devices in October, alongside new versions of HomePod mini and Apple TV. However, Apple has not yet confirmed the schedule or specifications of these rumored products.
Likewise, doorbells, door locks, and cameras related to LG may not appear yet even if the partnership plan is real. Sources said some products are still months away from commercialization.
Apple was also said to be working on a variety of other devices for the home, including privacy-focused surveillance cameras, a display device mounted on a robotic arm, and services related to home security.
If the above information comes true, this could be a sign that Apple wants to expand HomeKit from a software platform into a more comprehensive smart home ecosystem, in which iPhone, Apple Watch, HomePod and a new central device play a connecting role.
However, until Apple or LG make an official announcement, the above plans are still limited to information from news sources and management records.