A recent report indicates that Apple is developing a smart home doorbell featuring Face ID support. This follows an earlier announcement regarding an Apple smart home camera set to launch next year.
While one could argue that both products fall into the category of commodities and that Apple’s primary value lies in its HomeKit platform rather than the hardware itself, there is little question about the potential in this area…
This is what Apple excels at
Many of us have been engaged with smart home technology for quite some time, and it’s easy to overlook that this field is still predominantly inhabited by early adopters.
It’s quite uncommon for me to enter the homes of family or friends and discover smart home devices. For the majority, this technology remains in the realm of gadget enthusiasts, with less tech-savvy individuals viewing it as something intricate and enigmatic.
Apple’s talent lies in transforming complex technology into products that appeal to a broader audience.
The iPhone serves as a quintessential example. Before 2007, smartphones were largely seen as niche devices with keyboards and styluses, used mainly by tech aficionados. The iPhone revolutionized this into a product for the mass market.
However, this is a longstanding approach for Apple. The Macintosh, iPod, iPad, and Apple Watch all showcase this strategy. If anyone can usher smart home technology into the mainstream, it’s Apple.
HomeKit has aided, but hasn’t been revolutionary
Apple’s initial foray into this arena was HomeKit. The concept was to enable control of any smart home device through a single iPhone app, as well as via Siri.
This move certainly facilitated greater accessibility to smart home technology for more consumers, addressing some privacy and security concerns that lingered in the market. The HomeKit displays in Apple stores also played a crucial role in familiarizing potential customers with how user-friendly and beneficial the technology could be.
Moreover, Apple tackled one of the most pressing issues surrounding smart home cameras with HomeKit Secure Video. After numerous security breaches from various mainstream brands, Apple offered a solution ensuring that no one – including itself – could access stored footage.
In an ideal scenario, this would suffice, allowing Apple to leave hardware production to others. Nevertheless, while HomeKit did move things forward, it hasn’t succeeded in making smart homes a mainstream reality.
Apple-branded devices are likely to thrive
The average non-tech-savvy person is often unaware of HomeKit’s security specifications, yet they do have trust in Apple. Therefore, if Apple ventures into the realm of smart home hardware – particularly with more sensitive devices like cameras and locks – many more consumers would feel confident purchasing them.
When reports surfaced last month regarding an Apple-branded smart home camera, over 80% of respondents expressed their likelihood to make a purchase.
A smart doorbell falls within the broader category of smart home cameras, indicating the possibility that Kuo and Gurman may be discussing the same initiatives. However, if Apple does enter this sector, it’s likely that they won’t limit themselves to a single device. I suspect that we might see plans for both outdoor security cameras, indoor cameras, and a smart doorbell.
Recent information suggests that Apple’s doorbell would probably integrate with existing HomeKit-compatible smart locks, although there’s the possibility of a partnership with a single brand for a comprehensive system. The integration of a smart lock with a doorbell – such as the Face ID feature on the doorbell camera triggering the smart lock – seems to be a logical progression.
Apple is known for its selective approach, often rejecting numerous ideas in favor of a few. This could mean that a branding partnership may suffice, leading to a co-branded smart lock featuring both Apple and Yale branding, for example.
However, a co-branded smart doorbell seems less probable, as it’s clear that existing smart camera brands haven’t exactly distinguished themselves in this market!
For this reason, I would anticipate that any camera created by Apple would solely bear the company’s branding. Moreover, the integration of Apple’s advanced intelligence features solidifies this expectation.
Furthermore, although there are smart locks available that include facial recognition, I wouldn’t trust them to the same extent I trust Face ID.
This would greatly benefit everyone
The potential profits for Apple and non-tech-savvy individuals are evident, but I believe the advantages extend to all of us.
The broader acceptance of smart home technology and the attention Apple places on security and privacy issues will surely enhance the quality of technology for everyone – tech enthusiasts and novices alike. I would love to see this unfold.
Image: Google Nest
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