Unusual hardware collaboration brings seven jointly developed devices to Apple's smart home ecosystem
LG Electronics is teaming up with Apple to take on Amazon and Google in the smart home market, unveiling seven AI-powered devices that push beyond its traditional appliance business.
The Korean electronics-maker introduced the jointly developed lineup at a launch event in New York on Tuesday, including an indoor camera, two outdoor cameras, a video doorbell, a smart lock, a thermostat and a temperature sensor.
The devices will carry the LG brand, with LG handling manufacturing, sales and customer support. Apple contributed to product design and feature development from the planning stage, according to industry sources.
The collection will launch in the US and Canada starting in December, with some products arriving in early 2027. The cameras and video doorbell will also be released in the UK. No launch date has been announced for Korea.
The partnership combines LG's expertise in home appliances and living spaces with Apple's strengths in software platforms and user experience, as both companies seek a stronger foothold in the growing connected-home market.
The devices support both LG's ThinQ AI home platform and Apple's ecosystem, allowing users to connect them to iPhones and iPads with a single tap.
Among the new products, the smart lock uses sensors to detect subtle movements and recognize when a user intends to enter, automatically unlocking the door. It also sends mobile alerts when a door is left open or unauthorized entry is detected.
The cameras and video doorbell feature LG's Vision AI technology, enabling users to monitor activity around their homes and receive situation-specific notifications.
The thermostat draws on information from connected devices, including iPhones and Apple Watches, to adjust heating and cooling based on users' movements, the time of day and weather conditions.
LG's Shield security solution and Apple's data encryption technology are integrated into the products to protect user privacy.
The collaboration comes as LG and Apple seek to strengthen their positions in the increasingly competitive smart home market, where Samsung Electronics' SmartThings platform, Amazon's Ring and Google's Nest are among the established players.
For Apple, the partnership offers a way to expand its smart home ecosystem through a broader range of connected devices. For LG, it opens another avenue for growth beyond appliances and televisions, extending its reach into AI-powered home devices and platforms.
Access to Apple's ecosystem, which spans more than 2.5 billion active devices worldwide, could also help LG attract new customers and accelerate its expansion in the global AI home market.
"By combining LG's expertise in home appliances and living spaces with Apple's distinctive user experience and the strong security capabilities of both companies, we aim to deliver a safe and intuitive AI home experience," said Jung Ki-hyun, head of the platform business center at LG Electronics' home appliance solutions company.
By Jie Ye-eun (yeeun@heraldcorp.com)
