Unlocking Future Home Secrets in Apple’s Sinister Syncrhony

Key Points:

• Apple is working on several new smart home products, including a home doorbell and video camera, which will be released this year and beyond.
• The company is expanding its Home product line, which will include a "HomePad" smart display, and will start making its own smart home devices that were previously left to third-party manufacturers.
• Apple’s new smart home devices will be able to use HomeKit Secure Video, a feature that allows users to record and view footage from their security cameras, and will earn the company more subscription revenue.

As the tech world gears up for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), a common theme has emerged that points to a key reason Apple is launching new smart home products. Apple has traditionally treated the home as a "hobby category," but things are changing. The company is set to release three new Home products this year, including the "HomePad" smart display, which represents a brand new product category for Apple.

But what’s driving this renewed focus on the smart home market? One key trend is the rise of subscriptions with home devices. Amazon’s Ring division has just launched a $5/month subscription for smoke and carbon monoxide monitoring, and Arlo has raised prices for its home camera cloud storage plans. Smart home devices don’t have regular upgrade cycles, so subscriptions offer a way for device makers to generate recurring revenue from their customers.

Apple’s own subscription services, such as Apple One and iCloud+, are set to benefit from its new Home products. HomeKit Secure Video, a feature that allows users to record and view footage from their security cameras, is currently only available with third-party cameras. But Apple’s new home camera and video doorbell will be able to use HomeKit Secure Video, earning the company more subscription revenue.

This move also shows a path forward for future products. If Apple can build new Home-focused services into its existing Apple One subscription, the bundle will become even more compelling for Apple users. Ultimately, it’s a win for both Apple and its users.

As Apple continues to expand its Home product line, it will be interesting to see how these new devices and services will shape the future of the smart home market. Will you be using Apple’s new home camera and doorbell? Let us know in the comments.

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