Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported today that Apple will enter the smart home camera market in 2026, and the company will likely compete for the first time with third-party HomeKit cameras like the Eve Indoor Cam.
The IP camera is projected to ship tens of millions of units annually, indicating that Apple hopes it will become a staple accessory in its product lineup. Kuo says the appeal of Apple's camera will be its rich integration with Siri and Apple Intelligence features.
We've heard for some time that Apple is planning a more serious attempt to crack the smart home space, with rumors circulating periodically of Apple developing its own accessories.
However, at this stage, it's unclear what unique functionality Apple could offer through a camera of its own, rather than continuing to integrate with other manufacturers through the Home app. Perhaps Apple's powerful on-chip silicon could allow for expanded Apple Intelligence features that other cameras can't offer.
Apple's first major advancement in the smart home space will be a new smart display device, likely to go on sale next year. The new smart display would combine a HomePod-like speaker with a small, square touchscreen to display a visual user interface. The device will be a competitor to Apple's products like the Echo Show and will likely be aimed at the kitchen area to display timers and recipes.
Apple is believed to have a more advanced display in a couple of years that will be mounted on an articulated robotic arm so that the display can tilt and pan to follow the user around the room.
