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Door staff@engadget.com (Ian Carlos Campbell) - 09 Oct 2026
Previous reports suggested Apple was working on its own privacy-focused cameras as part of its smart home lineup, but now Bloomberg reports they might not be sold under Apple's name. The company is reportedly collaborating with LG Electronics to create a series of smart locks, doorbells, thermostats and temperature sensors. The devices will work with Apple's smart home ecosystem but will apparently be manufactured, sold and supported by LG. A later leak suggested similar third-party devices will also come from Schneider Electric, which is apparently making a thermostat for the launch.
The "second-party" partnership includes accessories from Schneider:
• Schneider Home Smart Thermostat
• Schneider Electric Temperature/Humidity Sensor
Only the Thermostat shows (placeholder) setup assets. Its setup configuration mentions Proximity Settings.
In total, iOS... https://t.co/8w4fUQ4WpK
— pdfu (@itspdfu) October 7, 2026
This doesn't necessarily preclude Apple from releasing its own versions of these devices down the line, but it does suggest that Apple won't make the first accessories designed for this new era of HomeKit. Considering the threat the company's scale and reach poses to other smart home product makers, it's probably the right move to play nice.
The "second-party" partnership includes accessories from Schneider:
• Schneider Home Smart Thermostat
• Schneider Electric Temperature/Humidity Sensor
Only the Thermostat shows (placeholder) setup assets. Its setup configuration mentions Proximity Settings.
In total, iOS... https://t.co/8w4fUQ4WpK
— pdfu (@itspdfu) October 7, 2026
This doesn't necessarily preclude Apple from releasing its own versions of these devices down the line, but it does suggest that Apple won't make the first accessories designed for this new era of HomeKit. Considering the threat the company's scale and reach poses to other smart home product makers, it's probably the right move to play nice.