A new Apple Home hub could kill "smart" appliances, but only if Apple can succeed in convincing us its devices don't retain audio and video recordings.
There is a rumor of an Apple-made accessory that resembles a large tube of chapstick that could accompany Apple's rumored Home hub tablet. It would have a sensor in it that captures footage at a low frame rate, but doesn't actually "record" video.
I discussed this on the AppleInsider Podcast as an interesting concept. Instead of needing a computer chip in every component of our home, Apple could use such sensors to "understand" statuses around the home.
Forget having a smart dishwasher that needs a Wi-Fi connection. Instead, have a sensor see that you've started a dishwasher cycle.
In the Home app, you could see "dishwasher running" as a status in the Kitchen. The same goes for the washer, dryer, or other appliances.
Apple already has systems in place for this thanks to the AI analysis features of Apple HomeKit Secure Video. As models improve, I could see an Apple TV running basic sensor analysis locally to provide these system statuses.
The video summaries are brief, but understandable. "Someone arrived home and unloaded groceries" is possible today, so it isn't a stretch to think these tools could provide statuses for your home and appliances.
Imagine you're loading the dishwasher, but your home is aware someone else is in the shower across the house. Siri could alert you and suggest waiting until the person exits the shower, perhaps even setting a reminder for you.
Apple needs to convince us
I think the future of the smart home is a more intelligent, more proactive system that doesn't need everything to be smart. In this case, AI analysis of environments, that are local and private of course, could enable so much more than a simple Wi-Fi-connected appliance.
Apple has spent more than a decade convincing us it is the go-to for privacy and secuity
The problem will be convincing people that these devices aren't cameras and aren't recording video. My shower example would need some kind of smart water valve or shower component, or if you trust it enough, one of these sensors in the bathroom.
The level of trust users would need for such a device is immense. Apple wants to sell us on an Apple Watch that "listens" without recording audio, so it will need to sell us on a camera that doesn't record video too.
If you can't trust one of these in the bathroom, then Apple has failed.
I understand that the bathroom and living room are two very different places. If you can't trust the sensor to be totally private in one where you're changing clothes, you can't trust it in the living room with your children either.
I understand some people reading this are startled at the concept. I wanted to highlight a very specific scenario that intrudes on our privacy the most.
I think Apple could attempt to pursue a truly "smart" home by taking a step back and doing more with what people already have. Apple is uniquely positioned to pull something like this off thanks to its commitment to privacy.
AirTag is a perfect example. It's a device literally capable of tracking a person, and after some concerns were addressed via software, they became the go-to for tracking.
We're totally fine with AirTags in spite of their potential for abuse
I'd much rather buy one of these little Apple sensors or hub tablets than a whole new washing machine or shower system. Plus, when the inevitable new appliance comes out or software updates stop, I'm left with an expensive brick.
If you're in a rental home, then replacing appliances and other objects with smart devices isn't an option either. Sensors that provide home status alerts that show up in Apple Home would be huge boon to people in that situation.
Again, it's going to require a lot of trust. If Apple is developing this technology, this is how I'd see it implemented, otherwise I'm not sure why they'd bother.
Apple's smart home strategy will be renewed soon
I'm aware this is all wish-casting and speculation, but I wanted to provide a brief idea of what I'm thinking about here. This is an answer to "what could Apple even improve about the smart home?" before the event on October 13.
Whatever the case, we'll see what Apple announces on Tuesday and see if it is moving towards a better smart home. Not a home built around making people dumber and lazier, but one that's able to act and react to the user's needs privately, intelligently, and usefully.
That is what I want from my smart home. Let's see what Apple delivers.
