Apple is developing a new smart home security product that could rival offerings from Amazon and Google.
Apple is reportedly working on a smart doorbell with built-in Face ID ‼️
Would you buy an Apple doorbell?
Source: @markgurman pic.twitter.com/Qro2ikYzdG
— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) December 22, 2024
The tech giant is reportedly working on a smart lock and doorbell equipped with facial recognition technology, allowing homeowners to unlock their doors by scanning their faces. The development is still in the early stages, with potential release dates as far out as the end of 2025.
Apple did not respond to requests for comment made outside of regular business hours.
In case you missed it on Sunday: Apple is exploring challenging Amazon’s Ring and Google’s Nest with a new home doorbell with Face ID that connects to HomeKit smart locks.
Would you buy one? https://t.co/i9TSC4JFAN
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) December 23, 2024
The smart lock complements other rumored smart home projects at Apple, such as an iPad-like device that could be voice-operated, serve as an intercom, and control various home appliances. While not all of these potential products may reach consumers, the door lock device presents an opportunity for Apple to expand its ecosystem of home products and compete in the growing smart home market.
Apple ramps up work on turning AirPods into a health device. The company currently has teams experimenting with a variety of enhancements, including temperature sensing, heart-rate monitoring and technology that tracks a slew of physiological measures. https://t.co/0yIy1KBact
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) December 23, 2024
Apple’s smart home advances
Existing competitors, like doorbells from Nest and Ring, are equipped with motion sensors that activate cameras to record video, a feature that Apple’s offering is likely to include as well. However, the introduction of such surveillance technology could also draw Apple into ongoing debates around privacy and law enforcement access.
Other companies have faced scrutiny for providing law enforcement with user data through emergency requests without owner consent. Apple and its CEO, Tim Cook, have historically prioritized user privacy. In 2016, Cook notably refused to assist the U.S. government in unlocking an iPhone used by a gunman involved in a mass shooting and bombing attempt in San Bernardino, California.
As Apple moves forward with these new home security innovations, it will have to navigate these privacy concerns carefully to maintain its established reputation for protecting user data. The development of the smart lock and doorbell marks a significant step for Apple as it aims to compete more directly in the smart home market dominated by Amazon and Google.
