Apple has brought an unusual partner on board for the relaunch of its smart home platform. A doorbell, door lock, thermostat, and three cameras are said to have been developed in collaboration with LG – but they will be sold under the South Korean company's name. The first regulatory approval applications have already been submitted to US authorities.
One week before the expected unveiling of the new control center, it's becoming clear that Apple doesn't intend to send the device into living rooms on its own. According to a Bloomberg report, Apple has partnered with LG Electronics to develop a range of accessories. These are designed to work with the smart home hub, currently known as the HomePad, a new HomePod mini, and a new Apple TV box.
Bloomberg describes the plan as a formal relaunch of the platform currently known as Apple Home, citing sources familiar with the matter. Some of the information is also based on regulatory applications LG has submitted in recent weeks.
Key Facts at a Glance
- LG is said to have developed a video doorbell, a door lock, a thermostat, a temperature sensor, as well as indoor, outdoor and floodlight cameras in collaboration with Apple.
- The devices bear the LG logo; LG handles manufacturing and customer service.
- Several models support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread and Matter; the lock also supports ultra-wideband.
- Apple does not appear in the applications filed with the FCC and UL Solutions; LG has had photos and details blocked until the beginning of next year.
- The LG devices are not expected to be unveiled on October 13th; they are not expected to be available in stores for several months.
Seven devices are listed in the approval documents
LG has registered the devices with the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the testing service provider UL Solutions. According to Bloomberg, the databases of both agencies contain product names, technical specifications, features, and drawings. LG has confidentially provided photos and more detailed information until the beginning of next year.
| Designation in the documents | Device |
|---|---|
| LG Video Doorbell Wired | Video doorbell with cable connection |
| LG Smart Deadbolt Lock | Door lock with motorized bolt |
| LG Smart Thermostat | Thermostat |
| LG Temperature Sensor | Temperature sensor |
| LG Indoor Cam Plug-In | Indoor camera with power adapter |
| LG Outdoor Cam Plug-In | Outdoor camera with power adapter |
| LG Floodlight Cam | Camera with floodlight |
The documents thus prove that the devices exist and that LG is preparing their market launch. Apple's role, however, cannot be deduced from them.
Apple co-develops, LG gives the name
According to Bloomberg, the two companies jointly developed the devices, but they are sold exclusively as LG products. Manufacturing and customer service are handled by LG. This allows Apple to influence the design, features, and technology without bearing the costs and effort of producing and supporting an entire line of accessories.
Bloomberg calls the partnership itself unusual. The existence of the seven devices is documented in government documents, but Apple's involvement is based solely on unnamed individuals – Apple is not mentioned in the applications.
Thread, Matter and ultra-wideband in the door lock
According to the report, several of the devices communicate via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread, and Matter. The door lock also supports Ultra Wideband, which should allow for automatic unlocking as soon as someone approaches the door. Ultra Wideband chips are included in all iPhones since the iPhone 11, with the exception of the iPhone 16e and iPhone 17e, and also in the Apple Watch Series 6 and later.
The LG HomePod series overlaps with devices already found in many homes when it comes to the temperature sensor. The HomePod mini and HomePod (2nd generation) already measure temperature and humidity, and their readings can be used in automations via the HomePod's temperature sensor. A separate sensor is particularly useful in rooms without speakers.
The doorbell is from LG
At the end of 2024, there was talk of an Apple-branded doorbell with Face ID that would recognize residents and unlock compatible third-party locks – not expected until 2026 at the earliest. The current report, however, lists the doorbell as an LG product, along with the matching lock. Where previously Apple was supposed to supply the doorbell and other manufacturers the lock, both now come from a single source.
According to Bloomberg, Apple still plans to develop its own devices: a privacy-focused device for monitoring the home, a version of the control center with a screen mounted on a robotic arm, and a home security monitoring service. This means that Apple will now offer two camera lines side-by-side – the three LG models and the security camera that Apple itself is reportedly working on.
On October 13th, still without LG
According to Bloomberg, the new hub, the HomePod mini, and the Apple TV 4K will be unveiled on October 13th. The LG devices are not expected to reach customers for several months at the earliest.
LG has blocked photos and details until the beginning of next year. Therefore, I don't expect to see pictures, prices, or a sales launch of the LG series before the beginning of 2027.
Why Matter matters more than the LG logo
I think the structure is the most interesting part of the announcement. Apple gets a complete range of accessories for its central hub without having to take on the warehouse, customer service, and warranty for door locks and thermostats. For buyers, the logo is ultimately less important than the standard: Where Matter is involved, the devices aren't tied to Apple and generally work with other systems as well.
So far, only US cases at the FCC and UL Solutions have been documented. However, a smart lock for Apple Home has been available in Germany for some time: According to Nuki's own help page, the current models from the Austrian manufacturer Nuki can be integrated into Apple Home via Thread using Matter. If you already own a HomePod mini, a HomePod (2nd generation), or an Apple TV 4K with 128 GB, the necessary Thread control center is already in place.
Would you buy an Apple Home door lock that has the LG logo on it – or would you rather wait to see if Apple releases its own devices for the front door? Let us know in the comments what you have on your door.
