Apple’s Next Smart Home Move May Be A Doorbell With Face ID

After scrapping its ambitious car initiative, facing challenges with its iPhone subscription service, and experiencing delays in AI feature launches, Apple seems to have discovered a promising avenue for innovation in the smart home market. As reported by Bloomberg, the tech giant is in the early stages of developing a smart doorbell that will feature Face ID for authentication.

In addition, Apple is also rumored to be developing a device with iPad-like functionalities that will act as a central hub for various smart home devices. This new doorbell project reflects Apple’s intention to carve out a niche within its HomeKit ecosystem.

The doorbell is described by Bloomberg as a “smart doorbell with advanced facial recognition that wirelessly connects to a deadbolt lock.” The idea is simple: Apple aims to integrate its reliable biometric authentication technology into a doorbell, enhancing security and convenience.

Currently, the smart doorbell market is led by major players such as Amazon, Google, Eufy, and Logitech. Products like the Nest Doorbell and Amazon Blink consistently rank high in popularity among consumers. It’s clear why Apple would want to enter this competitive space, especially given its technological resources, skilled talent pool, and established supply chain.

However, the development of this Face ID-equipped doorbell is still in its infancy, meaning it’s not expected to hit the market anytime soon. Reports quoting insiders suggest that consumers shouldn’t anticipate any product release before the end of the year, at the earliest.

There’s also the possibility that instead of crafting a device from scratch, Apple may collaborate with established manufacturers such as Logitech or Belkin. This wouldn’t be out of character for Apple; for instance, it currently sells accessories for the Vision Pro headset through its online store.

This doorbell could also utilize Apple’s upcoming dual-purpose chip for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which is said to debut alongside updated models of the HomePod Mini and Apple TV in 2025. This chip, reportedly codenamed Proxima, will be produced by Apple’s longtime partner, TSMC.

A smart doorbell appears to be a logical progression for Apple, especially with its unique facial recognition feature. The company is already laying down the groundwork with its existing HomeKit software, which has been adopted by numerous third-party brands.

Furthermore, the anticipated home hub device, designed with an iPad-inspired look, will connect seamlessly with various smart home products. It will reportedly incorporate the FaceTime feature for video calls, possibly linking directly with the future smart doorbell to provide video communication capabilities.

Nonetheless, there are significant concerns about this new venture, including potential security risks, especially regarding the possibility of breaches by unauthorized individuals. Recent incidents involving the misuse of AirTag trackers highlight some of these dangers.

Apple has generally maintained a strong stance on user privacy and safety, often navigating around controversial situations with caution. Therefore, it’s likely that Apple will take a careful approach in developing and releasing the smart doorbell, or even choose to license the concept to other companies while collecting royalties.