Apple has launched its first lineup of in-house smart home devices, marking a shift from its previous strategy of relying on third-party manufacturers. The new Apple Home Collection includes cameras, thermostats, sensors, a smart door lock, and a video doorbell. These products were codeveloped with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric.
The hardware arrives alongside HomeView, which serves as Apple's first smart display. This release represents the company's initial major push into the smart home category after more than a decade of directing other companies to build devices for its platform. According to The Verge, the Apple HomeKit ecosystem has historically felt underdeveloped compared to competitors. Amazon and Google currently support a wider range of products and maintain popular in-house brands, specifically Ring and Nest. Apple previously lacked equivalent proprietary hardware to anchor its ecosystem.