Apple Teams Up With LG on New Smart Home Devices
Bloomberg reports that Apple is developing a range of smart home products with LG, including a lock, doorbell and thermostat. The devices are said to carry LG branding and work with a rumored smart home hub.
Apple is working with LG on a new series of smart home devices, according to a Bloomberg report. The lineup includes a video doorbell, a thermostat and an indoor camera. The products are reportedly set to carry LG branding while integrating with Apple's rumored smart home hub, which is expected to be unveiled at an event on October 13.
Bloomberg's sources say the range also includes a deadbolt lock, an outdoor security camera and a floodlight camera. The arrangement is described as a "second-party" development deal between the two companies.
Support for new standards
Several of the devices are reportedly set to support the Thread and Matter smart home protocols, as Apple's HomeKit platform undergoes a "formal reboot". The door lock is also said to include an ultra-wideband feature that could unlock it automatically when its owner approaches. A thermostat has also appeared in an FCC listing under the name "LG Smart Thermostat".
Apple's smart home ambitions
For months, rumors have suggested that Apple intends to expand further into the smart home market. Bloomberg has previously reported that the company is developing a hub with Siri AI capabilities and a six-inch display, which can be mounted on a wall or placed on a table.
Apple is expected to reveal the device later this month. At the same event it may also show a new HomePod mini and an upgraded Apple TV.
