Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst specializing in Apple, reported today that the tech giant plans to venture into the smart home camera sector by 2026, indicating a competitive stance against existing HomeKit cameras, such as the Eve Indoor Cam.
The IP camera is expected to reach annual shipment figures in the tens of millions, suggesting that Apple views this as a significant addition to its product range. Kuo believes the camera’s integration with Siri and advanced Apple Intelligence features will be appealing.
There have been ongoing discussions about Apple’s serious efforts to penetrate the smart home market, alongside sporadic rumors of the company developing its own accessories.
However, it remains uncertain what distinctive capabilities Apple could provide through a proprietary camera, as opposed to maintaining integrations with other brands via the Home app. Perhaps an advanced embedded Apple silicon chip will allow for enhanced Apple Intelligence functionalities that competitors lack.
The initial major move into the smart home space will be a brand new smart display device, anticipated to launch sometime next year. This smart display is set to merge a HomePod-like speaker with a compact square touchscreen designed for a visual user interface. This product will compete with offerings like the Echo Show, primarily aiming for a kitchen-centric use case for displaying timers and recipes.
Following that, Apple is rumored to be working on a more sophisticated display that will be mounted on an articulated robotic arm, enabling it to tilt and pan while tracking the user around the room.
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