Home · Technology · Oct 6 archive
Apple and LG Partner on Smart Home Devices
Confirmed
In Short: Apple and LG Electronics are teaming up to develop a suite of smart home devices, including a video doorbell, thermostat, smart deadbolt lock, temperature sensor, indoor and outdoor security cameras, and a floodlight camera, reports Bloomberg and MacRumors.
The devices, which will be built and branded by LG, are expected to support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread, and Matter, with the lock also offering UWB support for close-proximity auto-unlocking.
LG's involvement in smart home accessories is relatively new, as the company acquired a majority stake in the smart home platform Homey in 2024.
Apple's collaboration with LG is part of a 'second-party' development arrangement, allowing the tech giant to expand its ecosystem without fully producing and supporting the accessories.
The devices will reportedly integrate with Apple's rumored smart home hub, which is expected to launch during an event on October 13th, alongside a new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini.
LG's smart home devices are designed to work across different platforms, but they will primarily be tailored to integrate seamlessly with Apple's HomeKit.
The partnership aims to simplify the setup and operation of smart home devices, addressing the complexity traditionally associated with setting up multiple devices from different manufacturers.
Apple's approach to working with LG reflects a broader industry trend towards standardization, with the introduction of Matter, a new smart home standard that streamlines pairing and operating devices across all platforms.
Matter's official launch last week is expected to make smart home adoption more appealing and easier for consumers.
LG's devices are expected to be ready for launch in a few months, though they won't be available on October 13th alongside Apple's other announced products.
What this adds
The collaboration between Apple and LG is a significant move in the smart home market, potentially competing with established brands like Samsung SmartThings, Amazon Ring, and Google Nest.
Apple's involvement in shaping the design and features of LG's devices suggests a level of oversight and integration that could set these products apart in the market.
LG's use of its own display components in these devices, similar to its past collaborations with Apple on monitors for Macs, highlights the company's capabilities in manufacturing high-quality components.
What's confirmed
- The devices, which will be built and branded by LG, are expected to support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread, and Matter, with the lock also offering UWB support for close-proximity auto-unlocking.
- LG's involvement in smart home accessories is relatively new, as the company acquired a majority stake in the smart home platform Homey in 2024.
- Apple's collaboration with LG is part of a 'second-party' development arrangement, allowing the tech giant to expand its ecosystem without fully producing and supporting the accessories.
- The devices will reportedly integrate with Apple's rumored smart home hub, which is expected to launch during an event on October 13th, alongside a new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini.
- LG's smart home devices are designed to work across different platforms, but they will primarily be tailored to integrate seamlessly with Apple's HomeKit.
- The partnership aims to simplify the setup and operation of smart home devices, addressing the complexity traditionally associated with setting up multiple devices from different manufacturers.
- Apple's approach to working with LG reflects a broader industry trend towards standardization, with the introduction of Matter, a new smart home standard that streamlines pairing and operating devices across all platforms.
- Matter's official launch last week is expected to make smart home adoption more appealing and easier for consumers.
- LG's devices are expected to be ready for launch in a few months, though they won't be available on October 13th alongside Apple's other announced products.
What's still developing
- LG is making a wired video doorbell, thermostat, smart deadbolt lock, temperature sensor, indoor security camera, outdoor security camera, and floodlight camera, according to documents LG submitted to the Federal Communications Commission and UL Solutions.
- Apple is not mentioned in the filings, and LG asked the FCC to keep details confidential.
- Apple can also help shape the products' design, tailor their features and oversee engineering while keeping the work largely under wraps.
- It uses LG Display components in its devices, and when Apple didn't sell Apple-branded displays, it teamed up with LG for 4K and 5K UltraFine monitors made for Macs.
- LG may be aiming to compete with Samsung SmartThings, Amazon Ring, Google Nest, and other smart home brands.
- While some devices work across different platforms, you’ll have to go through the trouble of setting up the device from its own manufacturer app (the left image shows just one page of the dozens of smart home-related apps on my phone), make an account, and then pair it with each ecosystem of your choice in order to be recognized.
- If you haven’t already started investing in a smart home, then buying new Matter-certified devices ensures you’ll have the most up-to-date connectivity for the next few years.
- Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review.
- Gadgets like smart locks and plugs operate across separate apps and connection types (usually either local mesh or Wi-Fi).
- And in some cases, devices are locked down to function exclusively with one ecosystem, such as Logitech’s Circle View doorbell camera only working with Apple’s HomeKit.
- So there’s a clear need for a way to connect all devices from the same place in order to make owning and operating a smart home easier.
- You may not have heard of this organization, but you’re certainly familiar with its members, which include the biggest smart home tech manufacturers like Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung, and over 400 other companies.