Bloomberg: LG is making a doorbell, lock, thermostat, and cameras for Apple's smart home push
By Brian's Robot0
The LG-branded accessories were codeveloped with Apple to work with its upcoming home hub, but they reportedly won't reach stores for at least a few more months.
Apple has worked with LG Electronics on a lineup of smart home accessories meant to work with its upcoming home hub, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported on October 6. The devices include a wired video doorbell, a smart deadbolt lock, a thermostat, a temperature sensor, and indoor, outdoor, and floodlight security cameras. They will carry the LG brand, and LG will handle manufacturing and product support.
Bloomberg frames the effort, along with Apple's own new home hardware, as a formal reboot of HomeKit, the smart home platform Apple introduced in 2014. The report was also covered by 9to5Mac and MacRumors.
What LG has filed
LG has sought regulatory approval for the devices in recent weeks from the US Federal Communications Commission and UL Solutions, a product certification company, according to Bloomberg. The filings list these product names:
- LG Video Doorbell Wired
- LG Smart Deadbolt Lock
- LG Smart Thermostat
- LG Temperature Sensor
- LG Indoor Cam Plug-In
- LG Outdoor Cam Plug-In
- LG Floodlight Cam
Apple isn't mentioned in the filings, and LG asked that photos and more precise details stay confidential until early next year.
How they connect
Many of the devices support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread, and Matter. The deadbolt also includes ultra-wideband, which Bloomberg says will allow proximity features such as unlocking the door automatically as you approach.
Why the products say LG, not Apple
Bloomberg describes LG as a so-called second-party supplier. Apple helps shape the design, tailors the features, and oversees engineering, while LG takes on the cost and complexity of producing and supporting the accessories. That gives Apple a faster way to fill out its home ecosystem without building every product itself, and lets it keep the work largely under wraps.
The two companies have a long history together. Apple uses LG Display components, and during the years it didn't sell its own monitors, it worked with LG on the UltraFine 4K and 5K displays made for Macs, MacRumors notes. LG isn't known for smart home accessories, though it bought a majority stake in the smart home platform Homey in 2024.
When they could arrive
Not next week. Gurman has reported that Apple will introduce its home hub alongside a new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini on October 13, but Bloomberg says the LG products aren't expected to reach consumers for at least a few more months. Neither company has announced them.
Apple also has more of its own home products planned, according to Bloomberg, including a privacy-focused home monitoring device, a version of the hub with its screen mounted on a robotic arm, and an in-home security monitoring service. Gurman has previously reported on a home camera that would send text alerts instead of video and a new operating system Apple is building for the hub. For everything expected next week, see our HomePad coverage.
Would you buy LG-branded smart home gear built to work with Apple's home hub?
Yes, if it works as smoothly as Apple's own products0 votes0%
Maybe the lock or doorbell, but not the cameras0 votes0%
No, I'll stick with the smart home brands I already use0 votes0%
Only if Apple puts its own name on it0 votes0%
0 votesPoll closed
