Apple unveils smart cameras, lock and thermostats for the home

Apple has unveiled a new line of smart home devices: cameras, a door lock, a video doorbell and thermostats. All the hardware connects through the iPhone and is controlled from the Home app or by voice via Siri. The Apple HomeView smart display with the Siri AI voice assistant also debuted alongside them. It is meant to become the hub of the connected home and was reported earlier.

The company is not relying solely on its own designs: the cameras and lock were created together with LG Electronics, and Schneider Electric joined in on the thermostats. “In developing these products we worked closely with market leaders LG Electronics and Schneider Electric, and made sure that all the hardware works seamlessly with the Home app. The result is simple, reliable and unobtrusive control,” said Matthew Costello, Apple’s vice president of hardware engineering.

When the last person leaves, the home switches modes

The easiest way to illustrate Apple’s idea is an ordinary departure for work. Users can set things up so that once the last family member leaves, the thermostat adjusts the temperature for an empty house, the doors lock and the cameras start watching over things. Before anyone returns, the thermostat resumes heating or cooling.

The smart lock can open automatically when a person with a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch and a stored digital key approaches the door, with no need to tap the phone on the lock. Morning routines can be linked too: a “Good morning” scene changes the temperature, tilts the indoor camera and starts music on a HomePod. Individual devices also work on their own, but the main benefit, in Apple’s view, lies in their working together.

Cameras, a doorbell and night vision

One of the most interesting details is the indoor camera, the LG Indoor Cam. When a user wants to check on the home remotely, the camera changes its tilt, and as soon as the first family member returns, it turns toward the floor and stops watching the room. The position can also be changed manually or through the app.

For outdoors, Apple and LG have prepared the Outdoor Cam and the Floodlight Cam model with spotlights. Both offer colour night vision in low light, and on the latter the light switches on automatically when motion is detected.

The LG Video Doorbell has two cameras: the upper one films the visitor in 2.5K resolution, while the lower one shows, in Full HD, the spot where packages are left, and you can switch between the views. When someone rings, a notification arrives on an iPhone or iPad, and the chime can be played by HomeView, HomePod and HomePod mini. You can talk to the visitor and, if you wish, open the door.

Artificial intelligence will review the recordings

The cameras recognise people, familiar faces, animals, vehicles and packages. For the smart features they need a compatible home hub, such as HomeView, HomePod, HomePod mini or Apple TV 4K.

With a suitable iCloud+ plan, users get ten days of recorded event video history. This is not a promise of continuous recording for ten days. No separate camera subscription is required, but a paid iCloud+ plan is needed to store the history.

Within the selected plans, Apple Intelligence automatically creates short descriptions of what happens in a recording, and video can be searched using plain descriptions. These features require setup through an iPhone or iPad with Apple Intelligence enabled and a supported home hub with up-to-date software. Built-in storage lets the cameras record even without Wi-Fi, and the live image is available in the Home app on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV 4K and in HomeView.

The door will open even without internet

The LG Smart Deadbolt Lock uses ultra-wideband technology, which determines the distance to a compatible device. Besides opening automatically, you can tap your phone or watch, enter a PIN on the keypad or use a backup physical key. The lock detects the door opening and closing and any tampering attempts, and also warns you if the door has opened even though it was locked.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz

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