Apple Explores Launching Smart Home Cameras with Emphasis on Privacy
Apple may enter the smart home market with cameras that prioritize user privacy, leveraging its existing HomeKit Secure Video platform.
Apple is reportedly exploring the development of its own line of smart home accessories, including cameras, to expand its HomeKit ecosystem. According to sources, the tech giant is considering creating devices such as indoor security cameras, potentially doubling as baby monitors, that would integrate deeply with Apple’s smart home platform and prioritize user privacy.
Apple’s move into this segment could include a smart home camera slated for production by 2026, as suggested by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. These devices are expected to feature wireless connectivity and extensive integration with Apple’s AI capabilities and Siri. Kuo projects that Apple could aim to sell tens of millions of these units over time.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman indicates that Apple is still assessing whether to fully commit to manufacturing these smart home products. The company might prioritize this project if an upcoming smart home hub, set to launch in early 2025, proves successful. This new device, reportedly resembling an iPad with a square form factor and built-in camera, is expected to serve as a central control unit for HomeKit and Matter-compatible devices.
Should Apple enter the smart home camera market, it would likely position its offerings as privacy-focused alternatives to existing products from companies like Amazon’s Ring and Google’s Nest. Both competitors have faced criticism over their willingness to share camera footage with law enforcement without user consent in emergencies. Apple’s commitment to user privacy could give it a competitive edge, especially as it already offers the HomeKit Secure Video protocol, ensuring end-to-end encryption for connected cameras.
In the meantime, Apple continues to innovate in other areas, with updates to its software ecosystem, including iOS and macOS, as well as hardware developments such as the forthcoming iPhone and Mac models. However, if Apple does decide to move forward with its smart home camera venture, it could potentially disrupt the market by emphasizing privacy and security—areas where it has historically excelled.