According to a Bloomberg report published on October 6, Apple is working on a new ecosystem of smart home devices through a partnership with LG Electronics. The new products — which include a smart lock, a thermostat, and a video doorbell — have been co-developed and are designed to integrate with Apple's smart home hub, another anticipated product set to be introduced on October 13. Apple is also developing a new generation of HomePod mini and a new Apple TV set-top box.
According to the report, the products include a smart deadbolt lock, indoor and outdoor security cameras, a video doorbell, a smart thermostat, and a floodlight camera. Interestingly, the products will carry the LG brand despite being developed by both companies. While Apple oversees engineering and design, LG will handle manufacturing and customer support.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple's expansion into the smart home market represents a 'formal reboot' of HomeKit. The partnership with LG marks a significant shift in the company's strategy, which previously relied on third-party partners like ecobee for climate devices and Eve for lighting. Now, Apple is investing directly in hardware with backing from a global manufacturer.
The LG devices are expected to support multiple connectivity protocols, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread, and Matter, ensuring broad compatibility with existing smart home ecosystems. The smart lock includes UWB (ultra-wideband) technology, which will enable proximity-based features such as automatic door unlocking when the owner approaches.
The Bloomberg report indicates that the products are part of Apple's broader strategy to expand its presence in the smart home market, which is currently dominated by Amazon (with Ring, Echo, and Alexa) and Google (with Nest). The LG products are expected to reach consumers in the coming months following regulatory approvals. For LG, the partnership represents an opportunity to expand its global presence in the smart home device market, leveraging Apple's loyal user base.
The report also mentions that Apple is planning additional offerings for the future, including a privacy-centric home monitoring device, a version of the smart home hub with a screen attached to a robotic arm, and an in-home security monitoring service. Although the report comes shortly after the announcement of the long-rumored HomePad, the LG-made accessories are not expected to reach consumers for at least several months.
This partnership between Apple and LG marks one of the most significant shifts in the smart home landscape in recent years. For years, Apple's HomeKit ecosystem struggled with a limited device lineup, relying heavily on third-party partners to fill gaps in critical categories like security cameras, thermostats, and door locks. The ecobee thermostat and Eve lighting products were solid additions, but they lacked the seamless integration that consumers expect from a first-party Apple product.
The LG devices are expected to feature a unified design language that closely mirrors Apple's own aesthetic — minimal, with clean lines and a focus on materials like brushed aluminum and frosted glass. This is a departure from the more utilitarian appearance of typical smart home devices. Early renders suggest the smart lock will have a cylindrical design with a subtle LED status indicator, while the doorbell camera will feature a wide-angle lens and integrated motion sensors.
Industry analysts have noted that Apple's decision to work with LG — a manufacturer with decades of experience in consumer electronics — could significantly accelerate the timeline for a true Apple smart home hub. The hub, expected on October 13, is rumored to feature a new Wi-Fi 7 chipset and support for Thread border router functionality, which could serve as the central nervous system for the entire LG-Apple device ecosystem.
The partnership also signals Apple's intent to compete directly with Amazon's Ring ecosystem and Google's Nest platform. With over 100 million smart home devices sold globally in 2026, the market is one of the fastest-growing segments in consumer electronics, and Apple sees an opportunity to capture a significant share through a premium, privacy-focused approach that distinguishes it from competitors who monetize user data.
Sources: TechCrunch, Bloomberg, 9to5Mac
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