Is Apple Getting Serious About Smart Home?
November 18, 2024
For years, Apple has effectively sidestepped the smart home during its major events, but that could soon change. Growing evidence suggests Apple is preparing for a significant home product launch — a wall-mounted “command center” featuring a six-inch touchscreen for smart home controls powered by Apple Intelligence.
This new smart panel could also function as a tabletop device using an optional dock, aligning with earlier rumors of a HomePod with a screen. Beyond the command center, Apple is reportedly exploring its own line of security cameras and other smart home accessories, which would complement the panel’s capabilities. There is speculation that the touchscreen device might debut as early as March, marking Apple’s most significant step into the smart home space since the original HomePod launched in 2018. The timeline for additional accessories, like security cameras, remains uncertain.
So, why might Apple double down on the smart home now? Two key reasons stand out.
Apple Intelligence: A Platform for AI Innovation
Apple has been cautious with AI, limiting its use to features like rewriting text, summarizing notifications, and editing photos. However, a wall-mounted command center with an enhanced Siri could serve as a showcase for Apple’s AI ambitions, giving its fledgling Apple Intelligence platform a visible and practical role in users’ homes.
The Growth of Matter: Smart Home Standardization
Matter, the new smart home standard, promises to unite platforms like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and Apple Home. While Matter still faces challenges — such as a clunky setup process and missing categories like security cameras — a recent update has streamlined device integration across platforms. Security cameras may also join the Matter standard as early as next spring, aligning with the rumored launch of Apple’s smart panel.
If Apple follows through, the command center could signify a shift from sporadic updates to a serious commitment to the smart home. It would highlight Apple’s dedication to integrating advanced AI with a more unified and accessible smart home ecosystem.
This most certainly comes as great news to folks interested in smart home technology but all-in on current Apple devices. When Debbie and I started our smart home journey Apple wasn’t even remotely a player so we went with Amazon Alexa and Samsung SmartThings. With Apple now introducing more smart home specific devices this could sway many who rely on their iPhones and Apple Watches as significant integrations with their smart home are inevitable.
How does Apple Intelligence play a part in Apple’s new smart home initiative? Imagine AI that delivers activity and automations that react to your movements throughout your home simply by wearing an Apple Watch — lights on and off, doors unlock or lock, enhanced features with Apple TV — you get the picture. This is what smart home is all about at its core.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Would this make you consider a purely Apple smart home? Would you switch from your current smart home platform? Let Debbie and I know what you think in the comments, DMs and emails as we really enjoy hearing from you. Thanks again to all those following Debbie and I through our home building journey. It’s great to hear your success stories and suggestions as we move through the process. And if you like the content I’m posting each week, don’t forget to ‘Like’ and ‘Follow.’
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