Apple’s Home event could promise a slew of new smart devices.
, which is happening on Tuesday. So many things are expected to be announced, centering on Apple and Siri entering
in all-new ways. The tech giant’s smart home devices will face serious competition
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
. 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.
An Apple smart display could allow Siri to get much more creative.
hub for the home. This display would focus heavily on Siri AI and compete with products like
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
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.
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.
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.
Yes, I’d say this is about as likely as a Siri smart display, if Apple wants to continue developing the HomePod line.
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
, so it’s about time for another. This could also give the Apple TV new hardware for extra Siri AI tricks.
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.
with its own products. Although we don’t know much, reports from
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.
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.
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.
Apple may be partnering with LG for some smart home devices, and there are even
circulating on the internet. One of the biggest potential releases is
. 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
, 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.
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.
• Settings for Far Sight Display, Humidity Display, Brightness, Language.
• Calibrated Temperature/Temperature Offset options.
. 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.
, which will include Alexa compatibility an