Apple is reportedly working on a smart home camera that may not record any video. Instead, it is said to use AI to analyze what’s happening in your home.
The privacy-focused device is separate from LG cameras joining Apple’s new Home Collection. Together, they hint at how Apple is planning to tackle home security from two very different angles.
Apple is making a bigger push into the smart home market, aiming to make its devices central to how people manage and monitor their homes. The newly announced HomeView hub will serve as a command center for smart home accessories, including cameras.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman shared the details on one of these in his latest Power On newsletter. He says Apple is building an indoor camera, internally codenamed J450, that analyzes its surroundings with AI.
The device reportedly works by pairing a low-frame-rate sensor with facial recognition and infrared sensors to spot people and pets. Owners would reportedly receive text descriptions of activity around them instead of video.
By building a device that can’t record video of intimate moments around the home, Apple appears to be putting privacy at the center of its plans for an AI-enabled camera.
The report predicts the accessory will launch sometime next year. Apple has yet to share details about the camera or a release date.
LG cameras will offer video recording
This camera is not included in the Home Collection that was designed in collaboration with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric and unveiled on October 13. LG supplies four cameras: a video doorbell, a floodlight, an outdoor model and an indoor model.
All of them record video at up to 2.5K resolution, and footage is stored encrypted in iCloud+ for 10 days. It also has built-in storage to keep recording during Wi-Fi outages. Camera prices start at $199.95 for the indoor model and top out at $399.95 for the floodlight.
Apple could build more smart home gear itself
Apple might take a wait-and-see approach to its own accessories. Gurman says since Apple is the main provider of the LG products, they will have precise data on how they sell.
If demand turns out to be strong and the business looks big enough, Apple might consider a line of its own. That would come on top of J450.
For now, Apple is leaning on partners for its Home Collection. The J450 would be its own privacy-first answer.
