LG and Apple unveil seven smart-home devices, with North American sales from December
In short
LG Electronics and Apple unveiled seven jointly developed smart-home devices in Manhattan on October 13, including cameras, a door lock and a thermostat. LG says North American sales will begin in December, though reports differ on whether the full range will arrive this year.
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LG Electronics and Apple unveiled seven jointly developed smart-home devices at a Manhattan event on October 13. The range includes an indoor camera, two outdoor cameras, a doorbell, a door lock, a thermostat and a temperature sensor. The products will connect with LG's ThinQ platform and Apple's ecosystem, allowing users to check device status and control them remotely, according to LG's announcement reported by Yonhap and Newsis. [ 4 , 9 ]
The reports differ on the rollout. Yonhap and several other outlets say the devices will launch before year-end in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Asia Economy reports that some products will go on sale in the United States and Canada in December, with the remainder due early next year. Hankook Ilbo also describes a phased US and Canadian launch beginning in December. Yonhap reports that LG will handle manufacturing, sales and customer support under its own brand, while Apple participated in design and feature development. [ 1 , 4 , 16 ]
According to LG, the door lock uses sensors to assess a user's movement and intention to enter, opening automatically and sending alerts about unusual conditions. Cameras and the doorbell use vision AI to analyse activity around the home and provide notifications. The thermostat uses information on location, time and weather to control heating and cooling. LG says its Shield security solution and Apple's encryption technology are included to protect user data. Yonhap describes the cooperation as an effort by Apple to broaden its product ecosystem and by LG to expand beyond appliances and TVs into smart-home devices and platforms. [ 4 , 9 ]
Why it matters
The products connect LG ThinQ with Apple's ecosystem, extending LG's smart-home range beyond appliances and televisions. Yonhap describes the partnership as part of both companies' effort to expand in a market that also includes Amazon's Ring and Google's Nest.
Key facts
- The seven devices comprise an indoor camera, two outdoor cameras, a doorbell, a door lock, a thermostat and a temperature sensor. [ 4 , 6 , 9 ]
- LG and Apple presented the products in Manhattan on October 13. [ 4 , 6 , 9 ]
- The devices connect to LG ThinQ and Apple's ecosystem. [ 4 , 6 , 9 ]
- LG will manufacture, sell and support the products under its brand, with Apple involved in design and feature development, Yonhap reports. [ 4 ]
- LG says the products use LG Shield and Apple's data encryption technology. [ 4 , 9 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether all seven products will launch before year-end. Yonhap and several outlets say the range will launch this year in the US, Canada and UK. Asia Economy says some North American products arrive in December and the rest early next year.