Reporting has been rampant in recent weeks as the consumer tech industry readies for Apple’s “next big thing.” And, no, I’m not referring to their first foray into foldable phones. Rather, Apple is set to announce a bunch of new smart home products. Some are simple refreshes of existing devices. Others are expected to be the company’s first attempt to get serious within this now matured category.
You can read all about the new launches — including a new HomePod mini, the first Apple TV 4K upgrade in a few years, and the rumored HomePad — over on Bloomberg, where company insider Mark Gurman has all the dug-up details.
The expected launches don’t end there, however. With an event of some sort supposedly set for October 13th, Apple is reportedly also planning to drop a line of actual smart home devices developed in collaboration with LG. That slate of product could include a smart doorbell, thermostat, deadbolt lock, and indoor and outdoor security cameras. This wouldn’t be the first time the two companies worked together to launch hardware. You can look to the Studio Display and Studio Display XDR, for which LG produces the panels. LG has also worked with Apple to bring the latter’s software to their smart TVs.
Collectively, this massive drop of product represents a major shift in Apple’s approach with the smart home category. And it’s one that should have integrators not only rejoicing, but also ready to pounce on a new class of customer.
1. This validates the maturity of the smart home market.
I mentioned this already, but if you consider how Apple has historically approached new product launches, their move into the smart home should indicate that they believe the time is right and the consumer is ready for their calculated approach to the smart home. You could also argue that Siri was just nowhere near ready to step into the role of Alexa or Google Assistant.
However, with Apple’s recent get-right efforts around Siri and AI, you could also argue that their assistant is at last ready for its moment in the home.
Apple has long presented those “works with Apple” smart home products from a variety of brands in their physical retail stores. The Home app has been there. And the HomePod and HomePod mini have allowed for rudimentary control and automation. But the category has really been on the backburner for the company. Until now.
2. Apple’s entry could accelerate smart home market penetration.
Industry data points to strong growth for the smart home market over the past decade or so. Parks Associates research shows that the number of U.S. households with at least one connected device has grown significantly from 17 percent of U.S. internet-enabled households in 2016 to 45 percent today (or around 54 million households). In just the last five years, 13 million households have added at least one connected device to their network.
With Apple, one of the most known, trusted, and respected brands in the consumer technology taking a serious step in support of the smart home, it’s likely we’ll see that number tip over the 50 percent mark in short order.
3. With adoption of smart home tech comes the need for support.
Whether they’ve had smart home tech in their homes already or not, the typical Apple consumer (call them a fanboy if you will), is going to bring these new products into their home. And when they do, they’ll enjoy them. They’ll embrace them. And then one of two things will happen: They’re either going to want to continue adding to their growing DIY system and not know where to turn, or — and this is the more likely scenario — something is going to go wrong at the worst possible time, and they’re going to need a professional to come in and help them get back up and running.
Recent reporting from Horowitz Research found that two-thirds of smart-home owners say they see the value in and believe connected devices make their lives easier. But a third also admit that the devices are confusing to set up or use. A separate report from Parks in 2025 found that over half (52 percent) of DIY smart-home users report setup or ongoing connectivity issues.
And something tells me the homeowner isn’t going to want to rip that new doorbell off the wall and bring it into the Apple Store for support. This represents a great future opportunity for the local integrator to come in, be that tech hero. And those house calls will also provide the perfect platform to discuss their smart home needs, ask if they’re getting enough out of the current system, and introduce them to the world of true, professionally set up smart home automation.
One additional point I’d like to make with all this Apple smart home news. I’ve heard rumblings among the manufacturer community with regard to uneasiness or worries about what this might do to their market share. To whit I say, if you’re concerned about that, maybe there are some insecurities with regard to your own product line that you need to reflect upon.
I don’t see a scenario where Apple’s new smart home product line up attracts the type of customer or steals business from the brands that are firmly engrained in and doing right by the luxury smart-home owner. They simply exist on different planes of reality.
Rather, the added attention that’ll be brought upon this channel by having Apple now present within it ought to lead to more consumer awareness and, if played right, more business.
