Apple is developing a set of smart home devices that includes a doorbell, a lock and a thermostat, made in partnership with LG, Bloomberg.com reports. The products form part of a broader smart home push by the company, according to the same report.
Coverage of the effort points to a wider product wave. MacRumors reported that Apple is planning two sets of product launches in October, while Yahoo Finance described the company's smart hub as a signal of how it now views the tech consumer and of its larger ambition in the category. The Verge reported that the Apple and LG collaboration on smart home gear begins with the lock, doorbell and thermostat.
Separately, 9to5Mac reported that a new Apple TV 4K is set to arrive next week with two major upgrades. The device is not described in the available material as part of the LG partnership.
The reports do not include pricing, release dates or technical specifications for the smart home products, and Apple has not confirmed the details. The extent of LG's role in designing or manufacturing the devices also remains unclear from the available reporting.
What to watch next: whether Apple confirms the LG partnership and the October launch schedule, and when the doorbell, lock and thermostat reach the market.
