Why Apple is finally making its own smart home devices

Apple has finally entered the smart home device market, launching its own lineup of cameras, thermostats, sensors, a smart door lock, and a video doorbell as part of the Apple Home Collection. The devices were codeveloped with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric. Apple's HomeView, a smart display, is included alongside the hardware lineup.

Apple's entry into the smart home market comes after years of supporting third-party devices through its HomeKit ecosystem. However, Apple has felt that its smart home offering was underdeveloped, especially when compared to competitors like Amazon and Google's ecosystems, which have popular in-house brands like Ring and Nest.

At Apple's "Welcome home" event in New York, Kaiann Drance, vice president of product marketing for home at Apple, explained that the company's decision to launch its own devices was driven by the development of the right technologies: Matter, an interoperable open smart home standard it helped found, and AI, which enabled a more conversational Siri voice assistant.

Drance emphasized that HomeView serves as a gateway to the smart home for Apple users, with potential applications such as music playback, guided cooking recipes, and calendar checks.

The company argues that Apple Home Collection offers a more tailored solution compared to the buffet-style approach of the existing Apple Home ecosystem. While Apple isn't addressing the cost concern, with the devices starting at $200, it focuses on ease of setup, data privacy, and a seamless, one-app experience. Apple's devices also integrate through Home, and no additional accounts or apps are required for setup.

The devices are Matter-compatible, ensuring interoperability with other devices. However, the cameras use Apple's proprietary HomeKit Secure Video, which may lock users into Apple's ecosystem.