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Apple is apparently planning an exciting innovation for the smart home: an intelligent doorbell that works with Face ID. With this technology, the front door could be opened automatically as soon as your face is recognized. Here you can find out which details are already known and what other plans Apple has for the smart home sector.
The market for intelligent doorbells is dominated by providers such as Amazon (Ring) or Google (Nest). Apple has so far held back in this area. Now the company seems ready to enter with its own product. According to the report According to Mark Gurman, a well-informed Bloomberg journalist, Apple is already in the early stages of developing a doorbell with facial recognition.
Face ID as a key to the front door
The planned doorbell will use Apple's well-known Face ID technology. This allows your face to be scanned and the door to be unlocked automatically. This eliminates the need to search for keys or enter a code. The combination of convenience and security could make Apple's solution unique.
connection with HomeKit locks
The doorbell will be able to work with third-party HomeKit-compatible locks, according to Gurman. There is also speculation that Apple could partner with a specific lock manufacturer to offer a complete doorbell and door lock system. This would make it easier for you to integrate the product directly into your existing smart home system.
Apple's focus on privacy and security
Data protection is a central part of Apple's strategy. The planned doorbell could be equipped with a new WiFi chip that includes a Secure Enclave. This protects sensitive information such as facial data and other security-relevant information. If the doorbell also offers video recordings, it could be compatible with the HomeKit Secure Video Service. This stores recordings securely in the iCloud and encrypts them end-to-end.
competition to Amazon Ring and Google Nest
With the new doorbell, Apple is entering into direct competition with products such as Amazon's Ring and Google's Nest. Apple could set itself apart from the competition through its strong focus on data protection and integration into its own ecosystem. However, it remains unclear whether Apple's solution will actually be equipped with video functions.
More than just a doorbell: Apple's smart home future
The doorbell is just one part of Apple's larger plans for the smart home market. Alongside the doorbell, Apple is expected to launch a new smart home hub that could serve as a central control unit for your home. There is also speculation about a HomeKit-compatible indoor security camera that could compete with products like Logitech's Circle View.
market launch not before 2026
Gurman assumes that Apple's smart doorbell will not hit the market until 2026 at the earliest. This gives the company plenty of time to further develop the technology and integrate additional features. By then, Apple is also likely to introduce other products for its smart home portfolio.
Face ID and more: Apple's ambitious plans for your home
Apple is venturing into a new area of the smart home market with its planned doorbell. The combination of Face ID, HomeKit integration and a strong focus on data protection could make the product one of the most interesting innovations of the coming years. Even though it will still be some time before the market launch, the information so far shows that Apple wants to significantly expand its smart home area. It remains exciting to see what other devices Apple will introduce in the coming years. (Photo by hadrian / Bigstockphoto)
