According to a report by Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, Apple might be developing a smart home doorbell with Face ID support, as part of its ongoing efforts to expand its smart home product lineup.
This smart doorbell would incorporate advanced facial recognition technology, enabling it to wirelessly connect to a deadbolt lock. The idea behind this innovation is to allow homeowners to automatically unlock their doors by scanning their faces, similar to how Face ID facilitates access to iPhones and iPads.
In addition to the smart doorbell, the report mentions that Apple is also working on developing other smart home products, including a smart home hub and an in-home security camera. The smart home hub would feature a roughly 6-inch display and a new operating system designed to control various home devices, run FaceTime, and play videos. The in-home security camera would integrate with other popular security brands like Google, Amazon Ring, Blink, and others.
Apple believes it has a competitive advantage in this field due to its longstanding commitment to privacy. The company anticipates that consumers will place greater trust in Apple’s security measures compared to rivals that utilize in-home security footage. Moreover, this service could potentially facilitate Apple’s sales of iCloud subscriptions, as customers can store the video footage. (Apple has previously offered this functionality through a feature called HomeKit Security Video.) Additionally, people often purchase multiple cameras when securing their homes, making this a convenient way for Apple to generate additional revenue within its Wearables, Home, and Accessories division.
Apple is rumored to make a significant push into the smart home market, and we can expect some solid smart home products from the company as early as next year.