Tim Cook spent years introducing Apple into new hardware categories like the smartwatch. However, John Ternus has the opportunity to kick off his tenure by spearheading a bold new project: smart home hardware.
There are strong indications pointing towards a promising lineup of new smart home devices possibly launching this fall, positioning Apple back in the game in a category where it has lagged behind in releasing new products.
Under Ternus’ leadership, the likelihood of Apple fully embracing the smart home market seems significantly higher compared to Cook’s era. Ternus, who was initially hesitant to invest deeply in the smart home segment a decade ago, is now reportedly leading the charge on developing a trio of home products.
While Apple has fallen behind its competitors in smart home hardware, the company has made strides in building a privacy-centric platform for third-party devices. Recent investments in Matter have spurred growth in this area, but there is still a lack of Apple Home hardware. If the rumors are accurate, this scenario is about to change.
The upcoming “HomePad” is rumored to be a 7-inch-square touchscreen smart display with features like facial recognition, FaceTime, presence sensing, and control over smart home devices. There are two reported form factors: a wall-mounted version and one with a HomePod Mini-style speaker base. This device could address the challenge of shared control in smart homes, allowing multiple users to interact with it and individualized responses based on user presence.
Ternus was reluctant to invest deeply in the smart home a decade ago
Rumors suggest the development of dedicated Apple Home smart home devices, including home security cameras, a video doorbell, and a standalone sensor. These devices are expected to feature facial recognition and presence sensors, enhancing Apple Home and Siri’s contextual awareness for improved user experience in the smart home environment.
Privacy-focused cameras are crucial for user acceptance of visual awareness in smart homes. Apple’s HomeKit Secure Video service offers privacy features like activity detection without video streaming or recording.
Physical sensors, like UWB-equipped HomePods, and the rumored Apple Home sensor are expected to play a significant role in home security systems and overall home automation.
