Apple Reportedly Teams Up With LG on Smart Home Gear: Locks, Doorbells, Cameras — Under LG's Brand
Bloomberg report surfaces seven products
Apple is working with LG Electronics on a lineup of smart home accessories designed to pair with its upcoming smart home hub, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported on October 6. People familiar with the plans say the co-developed products include a wired video doorbell, a smart thermostat, a smart deadbolt lock, a temperature sensor, an indoor security camera, an outdoor security camera, and a floodlight camera.
In recent weeks LG has sought regulatory approval for the devices from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and UL Solutions, a product certification company. The filings reveal product names, specifications, features, and drawings — Apple is not mentioned in them, and LG asked the FCC to keep details confidential. Bloomberg reports that Apple helped direct the products' design and oversaw engineering.
LG's brand on the box, Apple behind the curtain
The division of labor is the interesting part: the accessories were developed together, but they will carry LG's brand, with the South Korean firm handling manufacturing and product support. This "second-party supplier" arrangement lets Apple expand its ecosystem quickly without shouldering the full cost and complexity of producing and supporting a wide range of accessories — while still shaping design, tailoring features, and overseeing engineering largely under wraps.
Apple's own hardware first on October 13; LG accessories months away
Apple's own smart home hub, a new Apple TV 4K, and a new HomePod mini are expected on October 13 — the hub reportedly a 6-inch square display for countertop or wall mounting. The LG accessories will trail by several months before reaching consumers.
