Apple is working with LG on new smart home products, here are the details
by Vlad · GSMArena.comAccording to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a very reliable source of Apple-related information, Apple is working with LG on a range of new smart home products. That said, we're not exactly sure what Apple's involvement will actually be, since these will allegedly be called LG Video Doorbell Wired, LG Floodlight Cam, LG Outdoor Cam Plug-In, LG Smart Deadbolt Lock, LG Smart Thermostat, and LG Temperature Sensor.
LG has recently sought regulatory approval for these products from the FCC and UL Solutions. Gurman says LG is handling the manufacturing and product support, even though Apple was (somehow) involved in the development. Apple has done similar things in the past, working with Belkin and Logitech on accessories.
Such an arrangement gives Apple a way to quickly expand its ecosystem "without shouldering the full cost and complexity of producing and supporting a wide range of accessories", as Gurman puts it. Apple can also help "shape the products' design, tailor their features and oversee engineering while keeping the work largely under wraps".
A tipster on X has revealed the actual designs of the LG Smart Deadbolt Lock and LG Smart Thermostat. You can see them below.
The lock supports automatic unlocking, tap to unlock, emergency power, and master codes, and it fits 2.375" (60.3mm) and 2.75" (69.9mm) brackets. It comes with two mechanical keys. The Smart Thermostat has settings for Far Sight Display, Humidity Display, Brightness, and Language, as well as calibrated temperature and temperature offset options.
Mark Gurman says these products won't be released for "at least a few more months", though. Many of these LG-made smart home products will support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread, and Matter, while the door lock should also support UWB for its auto-unlock feature.