Apple is ramping up its efforts to enter the smart home market in a significant way, according to a report from Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman.
Story Summary:
- Apple is reportedly making a bold entry into the smart home market, with plans to introduce new hardware, including a smart display and robotic tabletop device.
- These devices will feature AI integration and will be compatible with the Matter protocol for interoperability with other systems.
- The strategy marks a shift for Apple, as it looks to compete with Google and Amazon, while also building on its new homeOS system.
Apple wants to compete aggressively in smart home market
The company is looking to expand its presence in this space by developing new hardware and software solutions to create an integrated home experience.
Apple’s past struggles in the smart home market have been linked to its premium pricing and reliance on a closed ecosystem.
While this approach has worked for other products, it has hindered their progress in the smart home sector, where consumers prefer more open systems that work with a wide range of devices.
To address this, Apple has started supporting the Matter protocol, which allows interoperability between devices from Apple, Google, and Amazon, marking a major shift in their strategy.
One of the standout products in this new push is a smart display, set to rival similar devices from Google and Amazon.
This device is expected to play a central role in home automation, allowing users to manage streaming content, make FaceTime calls, and control smart home accessories.
Reports suggest that this display will be priced similarly to an iPad, making it a more affordable option for households.
Apple is also working on a more advanced robotic tabletop device, estimated to cost around $1,000 (est. R17,452), with capabilities like home security monitoring and videoconferencing
AI will be crucial in the success of these devices, as they will use advanced sensors to detect user presence and adapt to their surroundings.
Apple’s homeOS, which is built on the foundations of its tvOS platform, will serve as the software backbone for this new ecosystem
Apple’s success in this venture is yet to be seen, but with Amazon and Google facing their own struggles in this space, Apple is poised to make a significant impact with its new approach.