Apple is making its biggest push yet into the smart home security market, with a range of devices making up the new Apple Home Collection.
Developed in partnership with LG, the collection launches with a video doorbell, plus three security cameras for indoor and outdoor monitoring. There’s also a smart door lock and a thermostat, but those are limited to the US and Canada at launch.
Announced alongside the new Apple HomeView, the HomePod Mini 2 smart speaker and an updated Apple TV 4K streaming box, the doorbell and cameras mark a significant step for Apple, which has previously left others to make devices compatible with its Home app, rather than be involved with the hardware itself.
Typically sleek in their appearance (but lacking any Apple branding), the video doorbell and security cameras work with Apple’s existing HomeKit smart home platform. Apple promises “effortless, one-tap setup” where the products are added to your HomeKit system by simply bringing them close to your iPhone.
The £229.95 video doorbell is a wired device, so it is powered by your existing doorbell wiring and lacks the bulk of one that’s battery-powered. The doorbell has a dual-camera design that captures 2.5K footage of visitors and a 1080p view of packages left on the doorstep. There’s an integrated dimmable spotlight and a night vision system that can record in colour in low light, or use infrared in total darkness.
Apple is emphasising privacy, stating data is encrypted end-to-end, so only you and your chosen contacts can access the Home Collection devices, control them, and view video recordings.
There’s no chime included. Instead, Apple’s HomePod smart speakers and new HomeView display can act as a chime, and notifications can go to other Apple devices, like your iPhone, when a visitor presses the button. The doorbell is said to be able to detect people, pets, vehicles and packages, telling them apart from other types of movement, and there’s a system for labelling friends and family members using your iPhone’s photo library, so recognised visitors are identified as they approach.
The Apple/LG outdoor security camera is available with or without a spotlight (Apple)
Next is a pair of outdoor security cameras, one with a floodlight and one without. Both have been developed by LG for the Apple Home Collection and are wired cameras with no battery. They record at the same 2.5K resolution as the video doorbell, and have the same night vision system.
Full story HERE
Developed in partnership with LG, the collection launches with a video doorbell, plus three security cameras for indoor and outdoor monitoring. There’s also a smart door lock and a thermostat, but those are limited to the US and Canada at launch.
Announced alongside the new Apple HomeView, the HomePod Mini 2 smart speaker and an updated Apple TV 4K streaming box, the doorbell and cameras mark a significant step for Apple, which has previously left others to make devices compatible with its Home app, rather than be involved with the hardware itself.
Typically sleek in their appearance (but lacking any Apple branding), the video doorbell and security cameras work with Apple’s existing HomeKit smart home platform. Apple promises “effortless, one-tap setup” where the products are added to your HomeKit system by simply bringing them close to your iPhone.
The £229.95 video doorbell is a wired device, so it is powered by your existing doorbell wiring and lacks the bulk of one that’s battery-powered. The doorbell has a dual-camera design that captures 2.5K footage of visitors and a 1080p view of packages left on the doorstep. There’s an integrated dimmable spotlight and a night vision system that can record in colour in low light, or use infrared in total darkness.
Apple is emphasising privacy, stating data is encrypted end-to-end, so only you and your chosen contacts can access the Home Collection devices, control them, and view video recordings.
There’s no chime included. Instead, Apple’s HomePod smart speakers and new HomeView display can act as a chime, and notifications can go to other Apple devices, like your iPhone, when a visitor presses the button. The doorbell is said to be able to detect people, pets, vehicles and packages, telling them apart from other types of movement, and there’s a system for labelling friends and family members using your iPhone’s photo library, so recognised visitors are identified as they approach.
The Apple/LG outdoor security camera is available with or without a spotlight (Apple)
Next is a pair of outdoor security cameras, one with a floodlight and one without. Both have been developed by LG for the Apple Home Collection and are wired cameras with no battery. They record at the same 2.5K resolution as the video doorbell, and have the same night vision system.
Full story HERE