Apples rumored Ring video doorbell rival could have a clever Face ID trick

Date:
Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:00:00 +0000

Description:
The Apple HomePod could soon be joined by a smart home lock and doorbell with Face ID.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Apple could launch smart home security tech Its smart doorbell could boast Face ID, and use iCloud for video storage Don't expect it until late 2025 or 2026

Weve recently heard rumors that Apple wants to launch a smart home hub with a screen whats been described as an Apple HomePod with a display but the companys smart home visions reportedly dont stop there. We could also see it release gadgets like an Apple video doorbell, smart lock, and security
camera; so while the Apple Car concept might be dead (another rumored excursion into a previously unexplored product territory), the Apple Home might be about to take off.

This comes via Bloombergs Mark Gurman (behind a paywall) in the latest
edition of his Power On newsletter, who says Apple is focusing its efforts on robotics, AI, and smart home tech with smart home being the one most likely to bear fruit somewhat soon in the form of security devices like video doorbells that can deadbolt your front door or in-home security cameras.

The doorbell may be particularly interesting as it would supposedly offer a form of Face ID for your home by automatically detecting if its you.

While this smart home pivot may seem a little odd considering how the HomePod has been treated. It seems forever in the background of presentations and announcements, never getting its own chance in the spotlight. Gurman notes, however, that Apples smart home shift comes from the companys belief it has one edge over the competition: trust in its privacy.

Many people dont want Amazon-made cameras in their homes, or cameras from
most major tech companies for that matter, due to concerns over how their private data might be used even if theres no evidence it's being mishandled. But Apple has spent years cultivating a persona of being the best there is when it comes to privacy (its even a major component of its Apple
Intelligence marketing, and wasnt for other AI until Apple hit the scene),
and so Gurman reports the company believes this perception will help it find success with home security tech.

He adds that it could also help Apple juice its iCloud subscription numbers
as people would want to store their recordings in the cloud. Learning from mistakes, or repeating them? Ring and Blink had better watch out (Image credit: Cesci Angell / Future)

If you head to the Apple Store website youll see Apple already boasts a respectable smart home accessory lineup complete with smart locks, smart lights, motion detectors, smart doorbells, and more but none are made by Apple.

Instead, it relies on third-party accessories which have varying quality according to some reviewers with this $330 Level smart lock from a few years ago being labeled ineffective as it could be lockpicked with the simplest method known to pickers but hopefully, Apple has learned from the better options amongst its third-part stock.

As with all leaks, we should take these latest ones with a pinch of salt, and even if Apples smart home tech is indeed on the way it could be some time before we see it in action. Mark Gurman says hes been told not to expect to see anything until at least the end of 2025.

Theres also a non-zero chance Apple may abandon home security before it sees the light of day. One reason for it not continuing with the Apple Car was reportedly execs fearing the company would be associated with car accidents. The same fears but this time for home security flaws could be enough to put Apple off expanding into this area in the end.

Well have to wait and see what 2025 holds for us, but with reports Apple is developing a ring , and developing AR glasses in the background too, it might not be long before we see Apples next big hardware launch. You might also
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-home/apples-rumored-ring-video-doorbell-r ival-could-have-a-clever-face-id-trick


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