We finally have confirmation of Apple’s massive smart home event, which is happening on Tuesday. So many things are expected to be announced, centering on Apple and Siri entering the home tech space in all-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 collecting the reports, insider claims and possible leaks to see just what Apple could be announcing. 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.
A representative from Apple didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
A Siri smart display at last
For more than a year, Apple has been rumored to be near the release of a Siri-focused smart display hub for the home. This display would focus heavily on Siri AI and compete with products like Amazon’s Echo Show and the Google Nest Hub line.
Smart displays can add a lot of functionality to smart speakers, if you don’t mind using voice assistants. Rumors say the display could swivel and/or be attached to a wall, be at least several inches wide and allow Siri to recognize different people when multiple users are having a conversation.
Smart display touchscreens are great for getting visual information, watching videos or viewing to-do lists, so a display like this is likely to have a bit of Apple TV and Safari in it, too.
Is it likely? I think it’s quite likely, based on how many insider reports have mentioned this smart display, but I don’t think we have a good idea how it will look yet.
Updates to 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’s the ideal time to update the HomePod line, too, although it’s possible some of these reports have confused plans for a smart display with a new smart speaker, both of which could 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 has often been critiqued for being over $300, which is why Apple focused on the less expensive mini model afterward.
Is it likely? Yes, 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 new HomePod are on the way also mention Apple is planning to release a new Apple TV model.
It’s a product line that’s sort of connected to the smart home, especially if Apple is launching a smart display. The company hasn’t released a new set-top box since 2022, so it’s about time for another. This could also give the Apple TV new hardware for extra Siri AI tricks.
Is it likely? I think it’s less likely than a speaker or display. It’s not quite as much of a smart home gadget, and it seems to have gotten swept into the wide net of rumors, but without as many reports.
Little Apple security cams — with no recording
Recent rumors says Apple is ready to enter the home security world with its own products. Although we don’t know much, reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman say these will be tiny cameras that, interestingly, won’t record any video. No recording means Apple won’t have to worry about cloud storage and may be able to avoid charging extra subscriptions for them.
The cameras are rumored to have some kind of presence-sensing or human-recognizing technology as well as AI video descriptions, suggesting Apple Home will be running analysis on the video even if it won’t record permanently. The phrase “facial recognition” was also mentioned, but this doesn’t seem nearly as likely to me.
Is it likely? I’m betting on some kind of home security announcement, and I expect 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 do lend this rumor legitimacy.
An LG collab for a new thermostat
Apple may be partnering with LG for some smart home devices, and there are even reportedly leaked 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-sight presence sensing, a humidity sensor and several temperature calibration options.
Alongside the thermostat, the Apple/LG combo is expected to release a sensor that can measure the temperature at specific locations and feed that information back to the thermostat hub. That would be no surprise, because models from Nest, Ecobee and others have similar satellite sensors, although Apple’s may have 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 obsolete. Maybe Apple is ready to try again with a different approach.
Is it likely? If Apple really is partnering with LG for a new wave of home devices, I think a thermostat is likely. But this is starting to be a lot of products to announce at a single October event that won’t be publicly streamed.
Further LG collabs for smart lock and maybe more
The other big rumor centering around an LG collaboration is an Apple smart lock. While many smart locks work with Apple and Apple Home Keys, the tech giant hasn’t been involved in the development of a smart lock before.
It could have automatic unlocking, tapping your phone to unlock and a variety of keypad management options. That’s not surprising, but the rumored product images show a round, twist-to-unlock, light-up outdoor keypad, and I haven’t seen anything like that before.
If Apple does release a smart lock, Ring will have beaten it to the punch with its own announcement of its first-ever lock, which will include Alexa compatibility and a unique thumbturn that can generate a charge when the battery dies.
Other rumors and purported product images suggest the LG partnership could also yield a video doorbell, floodlight camera, outdoor camera and indoor camera.
Is it likely? Now this is a lot of new gadgets to announce at once. I think a smart lock is about as likely as a smart thermostat; those are both strong fields for Apple to enter. For the rest of the cameras, I’m doubtful. The indoor camera could be connected to the rumors of Apple’s no-video model. If the LG partnership line is this large, I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple is saving it for a separate announcement later on.
What role will Apple Intelligence play in all this?
Apple Intelligence will fuel many Siri AI capabilities in the Apple Home app. That’s especially true of AI video descriptions, which Apple is bringing to supported security cameras (there are very few right now, but some of Aqara’s camera hubs are compatible). I’m testing these uses of Apple Intelligence now, but if Apple releases any of its own security cameras, you can bet they’ll use AI features in the same way.
Will there be any 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.
Tyler Lacoma
