Apple reportedly developing LG-branded smart home devices ahead of Oct 13 event
Bloomberg reports Apple is working with LG on a line of smart home devices, including a lock, thermostat and cameras, to pair with Apple's rumoured smart home hub. Apple has not confirmed it.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2Apple is working with LG on a new line of smart home devices, according to a Bloomberg report relayed by The Verge and TechCrunch. The VergeLC “Apple is collaborating with LG on a new lineup of smart home devices, including a video doorbell, thermostat, indoor camera, and more, according to a report from Bloomberg.” Read at The Verge ↗ TechCrunchN “Apple is working on a new ecosystem of smart home devices via a partnership with LG, Bloomberg has reported.” Read at TechCrunch ↗ Mixed · 2The devices reportedly include a smart lock (a deadbolt), a thermostat, a video doorbell, and indoor, outdoor and floodlight security cameras. The VergeLC “the upcoming line of devices also includes a deadbolt lock, outdoor security camera, and a floodlight camera.” Read at The Verge ↗ TechCrunchN “The two companies are also working on a slate of security cameras, including models for indoor, outdoor and a floodlight.” Read at TechCrunch ↗ Mixed · 2The products are expected to carry LG branding even though both companies reportedly develop them, and they are designed to work with Apple's smart home hub, which is reportedly due to launch on October 13. The VergeLC “The products will reportedly feature LG branding but integrate with the company’s rumored smart home hub that’s expected to launch during an event on October 13th.” Read at The Verge ↗ TechCrunchN “Interestingly, the devices will reportedly carry the LG brand — despite being developed by both companies.” Read at TechCrunch ↗
Mixed · 2The hub is described as Siri AI-enabled, with a six-inch display that can be wall-mounted or placed on a table or countertop; Apple may also show a new HomePod mini and an upgraded Apple TV. The VergeLC “The company is working on a Siri AI-enabled smart home hub that comes with a six-inch display that users can mount to their wall or place on a table” Read at The Verge ↗ TechCrunchN “That hub is expected to include a 6-inch square display that can be placed on a countertop or mounted on a wall.” Read at TechCrunch ↗ Left · 1Several devices reportedly support the Thread and Matter smart home protocols as part of a "formal reboot" of Apple's HomeKit platform, and the lock reportedly has an ultra-wideband feature that could unlock the door automatically as a user approaches. The VergeLC “Several of the devices will reportedly come with support for the smart home protocols Thread and Matter amid a “formal reboot” for Apple’s HomeKit platform.”“The door lock also comes with an ultra-wideband feature that could allow it to automatically unlock when a user gets near their door” Read at The Verge ↗ Centre · 1TechCrunch says the LG devices are expected to be announced, if not formally released, next week, and that it asked Apple for more information. Neither article reports a response from Apple or LG. TechCrunchN “The LG devices are expected to be announced, if not formally released, next week, too. TechCrunch reached out to Apple for more information.” Read at TechCrunch ↗
Mixed · 2TechCrunch reads the products as a swipe at Amazon's smart home offerings, such as Ring cameras, and The Verge notes that rumours of Apple's deeper move into the smart home have run for months. TechCrunchN “The new products could aptly be read as a swipe at Amazon’s smart home offerings, which currently offers a variety of similar products, including its Ring home security cameras.” Read at TechCrunch ↗ The VergeLC “For months, rumors have suggested that Apple is planning to dive deeper into the smart home space.” Read at The Verge ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- A brief rundown of the Bloomberg report, framed as Apple and LG teaming up and as part of a HomeKit reboot.
- Emphasis
- Technical details: Thread and Matter support, ultra-wideband unlocking, and the hub's features and other expected products.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not say whether Apple or LG were asked for comment, and does not mention Amazon competition.
- Charged language
- “team up”
- For example
-
“Several of the devices will reportedly come with support for the smart home protocols Thread and Matter amid a “formal reboot” for Apple’s HomeKit platform” — The Verge
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Presents the report as Apple pushing into the smart home market, with a competitive angle against Amazon.
- Emphasis
- The LG branding, the Oct. 13 timing and the comparison with Amazon's Ring.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Leaves out the Thread and Matter support, the ultra-wideband lock feature and the HomeKit reboot.
- Charged language
- “swipe at Amazon”“Interestingly”
- For example
-
“The new products could aptly be read as a swipe at Amazon’s smart home offerings” — TechCrunch
Right1 outlet
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Both outlets attribute the news to a Bloomberg report, not to Apple or LG.
- The devices include a lock, thermostat, doorbell and several security cameras.
- The devices are expected to carry LG branding and work with Apple's smart home hub, expected on October 13.
Left1 article
-
Apple and LG team up on new smart home gear, starting with a lock, doorbell, and thermostat
Neutral Short, attributed summary of Bloomberg's report with technical detail on protocols and the lock.
Centre1 article
-
Apple is reportedly partnering with LG to launch a smart lock, thermostat, and doorbell
Neutral Attributed summary of the Bloomberg report with added commentary that it is a competitive move against Amazon.
Right1 article
- 6 Oct 22:39 First The VergeLC Apple and LG team up on new smart home gear, starting with a lock, doorbell, and thermostat
- 6 Oct 23:53 +1h 13m TechCrunchN Apple is reportedly partnering with LG to launch a smart lock, thermostat, and doorbell
- 7 Oct 00:42 +2h 2m The Straits TimesRC Apple’s smart home push includes doorbell, lock, thermostat co-developed with LG via Bloomberg
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.