We finally have confirmation of Apple’s massive Smart Home event happening on Tuesday. So many things are expected to be announced, centered around Apple and Siri entering the home tech space in entirely new ways. The tech giant’s smart home devices will face serious competition from Amazon, Google and other players.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been gathering reports, insider claims, and possible leaks to see what Apple might announce. It all points to a major shake-up for home security, smart home devices and how Siri AI can be used. CNET will be there in person to see what Apple has cooked up, but in the meantime, here are the latest rumors.
An Apple representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A Siri Smart Display at last
For more than a year, Apple has been rumored to be releasing a Siri-focused smart display hub for the home. This display will focus heavily on Siri AI and compete with products such as the Amazon Echo Show and the Google Nest Hub line.
Smart displays can add a lot of functionality to smart speakers if you don’t mind voice assistants. Rumors say that the display could float and/or be attached to a wall, be at least a few inches wide and allow Siri to recognize different people when different users are having a conversation.
Smart display touchscreens are great for getting visual information, watching videos or looking at to-do lists, so a display like this probably has a bit of Apple TV and Safari in it too.
Is it likely? I think it’s very likely, based on how many insider reports have mentioned this smart display, but I don’t think we have a good idea of what it will look like yet.
Updates on the HomePod line
Along with a smart display, rumors are flying that Apple will give its HomePod smart speaker line the first major update in years. It is the ideal time to update the HomePod line as well, although it is possible that some of these reports have confused plans for a smart display with a new smart speaker, both of which fall under the HomePod label.
If a new HomePod speaker is on the horizon, reports indicate that it would be a new type of HomePod Mini. That’s not surprising – the original HomePod was often criticized for being over $300, which is why Apple then focused on the less expensive mini model.
Is it likely? Yeah, I’d say this is about as likely as a Siri Smart Display if Apple wants to continue developing the HomePod line.
A new Apple TV
The same reports that say a smart display and a new HomePod are on the way also mention that Apple plans to release a new Apple TV model.
It is a product line that is sort of connected to the smart home, especially when Apple launches a smart display. The company hasn’t released a new set-top box since 2022, so it’s time for another one. This could also give the Apple TV new hardware for extra Siri AI tricks.
Is it likely? I think it is less likely than a speaker or display. It is not quite so much of a smart home gadget, and it seems to have been swept into the wide web of rumors, but without so many reports.
Small Apple security cameras – without recording
Recent rumors say that Apple is ready to enter the home security world with its own products. While we don’t know much, reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman say that these will be small cameras that interestingly won’t record video. No recording means Apple doesn’t have to worry about cloud storage and may be able to charge extra subscriptions for it.
The cameras are rumored to have some kind of presence-sensing or human-recognition technology as well as AI video descriptions, suggesting that Apple Home analytics will run on the video even if it is not permanently recorded. The phrase “facial recognition” has also been mentioned, but that doesn’t seem nearly as likely to me.
Is it likely? I’m betting on some kind of home security announcement, and I expect that Apple would like to have its own camera line, but I don’t know if this exact product will be released. However, the extra details lend legitimacy to this rumor.
An LG collab for a new thermostat
Apple may be teaming up with LG for some smart home devices, and there are even reported product concept photos circulating on the internet. One of the biggest potential releases is an Apple-friendly thermostat. The photos show a round, Nest-like thermostat dial, and rumors say it will include far-field presence sensing, a humidity sensor, and multiple temperature calibration options.
In addition to the thermostat, the Apple / LG combo is expected to release a sensor that can measure the temperature in specific places and feed this information back to the thermostat hub. That would not be a surprise, since models from Nest, Ecobee and others have similar satellite sensors, although Apple’s has adhesive strips to attach its version to the wall.
Interestingly, Apple partnered with LG years ago to support Apple-friendly security cameras, but those lines were rarely updated and quickly became outdated. Maybe Apple is ready to try again with a different approach.
Is it likely? If Apple really partners with LG for a new wave of home appliances, I think a thermostat is likely. But this is starting to announce a lot of products at a single October event that isn’t publicly streamed.
Further LG collaborates for Smart Lock and maybe more
The other big rumor surrounding an LG collaboration is an Apple Smart Lock. While many smart locks work with Apple and Apple Home Keys, the tech giant has not yet been involved in the development of a smart lock.
It could have auto unlock, tap your phone to unlock and a variety of keyboard management options. That’s not surprising, but the rumored product images show a round, twist-to-lock, illuminated outdoor keyboard, and I’ve never seen anything like it.
When Apple releases a smart lock, Ring will have beaten it to the punch with its own announcement of its first lock, which includes Alexa compatibility and a unique thumb turn that can generate a charge when the battery dies.
Other rumors and alleged product images suggest that the LG partnership may also include a video doorbell, floodlight camera, outdoor camera and indoor camera.
Is it likely? Now this is one a lot of new gadgets to be announced at once. I think a smart lock is about as likely as a smart thermostat; these are both strong fields for Apple to enter. For the rest of the cameras, I’m doubtful. The indoor camera could be related to the rumors of Apple’s no-video model. If LG’s partnership line is so great, I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple saves it for a separate announcement later.
What role will Apple Intelligence play in all this?
Apple Intelligence will power many Siri AI capabilities in the Apple Home app. This is especially true for AI video descriptions, which Apple brings to supported security cameras (there are very few at the moment, but some of the Aqara camera hubs are compatible). I’m testing these applications of Apple Intelligence right now, but if Apple releases one of their own security cameras, you can bet they’ll use AI features in the same way.
Will there be iPad news at this event?
There are rumors that Apple will announce an iPad Mini sometime this month, but it probably doesn’t have much to do with this event. This is a strictly smart home-focused release.
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