Apple is seriously stepping into the smart home arena, with three new Home products set to launch in 2025 and more expected thereafter. While I am thrilled by this renewed focus, it also highlights an age-old Apple principle that may be put to the test with these new offerings.
Upcoming Home Products from Apple
Mark Gurman has shared that 2025 will mark a significant shift in Apple’s approach to its Home product line.
The new year will introduce:
- ‘HomePad,’ a new smart display
- HomePod mini 2
- an updated Apple TV 4K
Additionally, in 2026 and beyond, Apple is expected to unveil its own smart home camera and a video doorbell with integrated smart locking capabilities.
If these offerings find success, we could see even more Home introductions in the future, ideally including a revival of the AirPort router.
This all sounds incredibly promising. I have always hoped that Apple would allocate more resources to its Home product line.
However, these developments prompt an intriguing question.
What became of the idea of “a thousand no’s for every yes”?
Questioning Apple’s Long-standing Product Philosophy
For as long as I can remember, a core design principle at Apple has been: “there are a thousand no’s for every yes.”
This phrase was emphasized in a video that marked the beginning of WWDC 2013.
It has also been referenced both internally and externally to convey a fundamental truth: focus is essential.
Apple prefers to produce a select few outstanding products rather than a multitude of mediocre ones.
Despite being one of the globe’s most successful enterprises, Apple still faces constraints on its resources. The more it affirms, the more diluted its focus becomes.
This brings to mind Apple’s choice to pursue its own smart home camera and doorbell products.
Smart Home Camera and Doorbell: A Major Shift for Apple
Apple’s upcoming ‘HomePad’ will represent a brand new category, yet it seems to seamlessly integrate with the company’s existing Home products.
The HomePad should complement the HomePod and Apple TV, acting as a device for interfacing with Siri and accessing visual content.
In contrast, the anticipated smart camera and doorbell feel like a significant departure from previous trends.
Traditionally, Apple has avoided creating its own HomeKit accessories, such as light bulbs, thermostats, smart locks, garage door openers, and similar devices.
Nevertheless, it appears that a smart camera and doorbell are now set to change that narrative.
I’m genuinely excited about these products’ launch, as I believe they’ll provide appealing alternatives to the current third-party offerings—especially for those fully engaged with the Apple ecosystem.
However, if Apple expands its portfolio of smart home accessories, might we see Apple-branded light bulbs or smart air purifiers in the future? While I have my doubts, I’m also unclear on how the company determines which products to produce in-house versus leaving to third-party developers.
I welcome as many Home products from Apple as possible, but I remain cognizant of the limits the company faces.
A camera and doorbell will likely leverage much of Apple’s existing technology, which may explain their upcoming introduction. Still, many questions remain as Apple enters this new chapter for its Home division.
What are your thoughts on Apple’s expansion of its Home product line? Share your views in the comments.
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