Ming-Chi Kuo, a prominent Apple analyst, announced today that Apple plans to enter the smart home camera market by 2026. This move will mark Apple’s first foray into direct competition with third-party HomeKit cameras, such as the Eve Indoor Cam.
The IP camera is expected to achieve annual shipment numbers in the tens of millions, suggesting that Apple intends for this product to become a significant addition to its accessory lineup. According to Kuo, the camera’s appeal will stem from its deep integration with Siri and various Apple Intelligence features.
There have been ongoing discussions about Apple’s serious intentions to strengthen its presence in the smart home sector, alongside sporadic rumors of the company developing its own accessories.
At this point, it remains unclear what distinctive capabilities Apple’s first-party camera might bring, as opposed to maintaining its current collaborations with other manufacturers through the Home app. One possibility is that a robust embedded Apple silicon chip could enable advanced Apple Intelligence features that can’t be found in other cameras.
The company’s initial significant venture into smart home technology is anticipated to be a new smart display device, set to launch sometime next year. This device will merge a HomePod-like speaker with a compact, square touchscreen designed to provide a visual user interface. Intended as a competitor to devices like the Echo Show, this gadget will likely focus on kitchen uses, displaying timers and recipes.
In a couple of years following this launch, Apple is rumored to be developing a more sophisticated display that would be mounted on an articulated robotic arm, allowing the screen to tilt and pan in order to track users as they move around the room.
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