Apple's smart home ambitions extend well beyond the three products expected on October 13. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple is working with LG to co-develop a line of smart home accessories, starting with a smart doorbell, a smart lock, and a smart thermostat designed as native devices for Apple's Siri AI-powered home platform.
Apple has long trailed Amazon and Google in smart home hardware, and its HomeKit framework has historically offered far fewer compatible accessories than rival ecosystems. Rather than building everything in-house, Apple is pairing its software and Siri AI interaction standards with LG's manufacturing muscle, with the products plugging directly into HomeKit and the Matter protocol. Gurman also reports that Apple wants to add new product categories to HomeKit and is collaborating with third-party manufacturers on devices purpose-built for the Siri AI home platform.
The standout product is the smart doorbell. Earlier reporting described a device with advanced facial recognition that wirelessly connects to a compatible deadbolt lock — walk up to the door, get your face scanned, and the lock opens automatically, much like unlocking an iPhone with Face ID. It would compete directly with Amazon's Ring and Google's Nest doorbells, and Apple is almost certain to pitch privacy and security as the differentiator, likely including end-to-end encrypted footage via HomeKit Secure Video.
Apple declined to comment on the report. The current timeline has the October 13 event launching the HomePad hub (a roughly 6-inch square display, codenamed J490, able to recognize household members), the second-generation HomePod mini, and a new Apple TV 4K — all three debuting Siri AI. The LG-co-developed doorbell, lock, and thermostat belong to a longer-term roadmap: Gurman previously estimated the doorbell wouldn't arrive before late 2026 at the earliest, so don't expect them on stage next week.
For Apple, this is a late but unavoidable battle. The audio-only HomePod line never gained traction, and with Siri AI finally ready, the company can treat the connected home as a growth engine. LG's involvement signals Apple won't go it alone — using a partner's manufacturing and distribution to fill shelves quickly. For consumers, the HomeKit accessory shelf is about to get meaningfully deeper. For Amazon and Google, the toughest competitor in the room just walked through the front door.