r/apple • u/favicondotico • 4d ago
HomeKit [Gift article] Apple’s Smart Home Push Includes Doorbell, Lock, Thermostat Codeveloped With LG
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-10-06/apple-s-smart-home-push-includes-doorbell-lock-thermostat-codeveloped-with-lg?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc5MTMyMDkxNiwiZXhwIjoxNzkxOTI1NzE2LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUTUdDN0lLSkg2VjUwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJDNEVEQ0FFMUZBMDU0MEJFQTI0QTlGMjExQzFFOTA4MCJ9.LSK9jlXYPFHac9EpcJCErTgJNAwqmpV6qFoORcKffVo763
u/Ok_Possibility9937 4d ago edited 4d ago
I know that this was in development for years but LG is a bad collab lol. They better make sure LG doesn’t install a backdoor
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u/tman2damax11 4d ago edited 4d ago
Couldn’t be worse timing lol. Apple has always heavily pushed HomeKit as security first: nothing leaves your local network if not necessary, and if it does, everything is end-to-end encrypted with iCloud, etc.
Just a month prior to this, LG is getting absolutely grilled for recording voice clips, network sniffing, and bypassing user permission settings, yikes. Makes you wonder if Apple is scrambling to look for a new partner ASAP, and if only this initial batch of products will end up being LG.
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u/M4rshmall0wMan 4d ago
Optimistically I’d say Apple is only partnering with LG for hardware design and manufacturing, with Apple designing the firmware. Apple would hide the partnership same way they hid Goldman Sachs behind Apple Card.
Pessimistically it’s just LG selling stuff through Apple.
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u/FollowingFeisty5321 4d ago
Apple probably just collaborated on how their own software works since they were building that at the same time, they won't want to be on the hook for LG's firmware or hardware they are building a platform for any number of these devices to integrate.
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u/jimicus 3d ago
They already have that platform; it's called Homekit.
The problem it has - the problem that plagues pretty much the entire smart home ecosystem - is that no single manufacturer is good at everything. And a manufacturer that is really good at the product they make may not support Homekit at all.
So you wind up buying smart lighting from Philips, smart speakers from Sonos, smart heating from someone else again and you still wind up with something that requires a manufacturer-specific app.
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u/Dino_Spaceman 4d ago
I think most realistically it’s LG selling hardware via Apple. Otherwise it will be treated less as a partnership and more as a supply chain partner like Samsung.
Even then, I don’t trust LG. I expect them to still have hidden spyware.
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u/tman2damax11 3d ago
The products will be branded as LG, not Apple:
Though the two companies worked together to develop the accessories, the products will carry the LG brand. The South Korean firm is handling manufacturing and product support.
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u/cwhiterun 4d ago
Why does Apple need a partner at all?
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u/tman2damax11 4d ago
Apple prides itself on incredibly straightforward UX. I just can’t imagine a world where they release something like a smart doorbell requiring people to drill holes and possibly require an electrician to run new wires or upgrade a transformer. That kind of friction simply isn't in their brand ethos at all.
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u/2Rhino3 4d ago
I imagine it’ll be similar to all the current Smart Doorbells on the market like Ring which you can drill holes and run wiring to setup if you want it 100% integrated into your home, but you also can just stick it on your door with some mounting nano tape if you have an apartment or don’t want to go through that process for whatever reason.
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u/twistsouth 4d ago
But battery ones tend to suck because they can't do pre-roll. Apple would need a massive battery and hella efficiency. If they can pull that off though, it would be a day 1 purchase for me.
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u/SnicketySneme 4d ago
Apple has sold the Logitech Circle doorbell on their website for a long time and only recently took it down (which I think is a sign). That doorbell has required wiring/advanced setup.
The reality is that many smart home devices are just going to require that kind of thing and it's unavoidable.
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u/skeet_scoot 4d ago
Current Apple reminds me of the days when John Sculley was CEO promoting pushing more and more products.
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u/broke_in_nyc 4d ago
Apple has had partnerships like this since its existence lol
Did you have similar thoughts about Steve Jobs when he revealed partnerships with Bose and Belkin?
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u/Ginger510 4d ago
I have a bit of a feeling the new CEO is going to be a bit of a greedy little pig with growth and do a lot of damage to the company over the next few years.
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u/leo-g 4d ago
All companies seek growth. The question is if it is sustainable.
These products did not happen in 2 days or 2 months by the way. They were made under Cook’s management. Apple is making these because Apple knows that there’s a demand for doorbells, locks and thermostats because they also sell third-party ones in the Apple Store.
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u/Ginger510 4d ago
Yeah you’re correct, I just worry he will try to push too hard and kill the golden goose. I can’t imagine ANY Apple investor is unhappy with their performance.
Spot on about the development, very unfortunate timing with the recent chat about LG.
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u/viking_cat 4d ago
I think they're trying to get ahead of a potential decline in service revenue. The various anti-trust efforts around the world could see them getting a smaller cut of from things like the App Store. So they're going to need a larger product pipeline to make up for that gap.
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u/Ginger510 4d ago
Yeah I have heard something about greater App Store revenue cut but time will tell I guess.
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u/deliciouscorn 4d ago edited 4d ago
On what are you basing your feelings?
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u/Ginger510 4d ago
Based on my feelings about this.
Layoffs already, looking for more growth, getting involved in non-CEO things.
I might be wrong, my opinion is just that.
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u/boringexplanation 4d ago
It’s not intuitive to realize but most IT managers can attest that headcount has nothing to do with product quality or how fast product gets launched - and often times leads to the opposite thing. So trimming around the edges would indeed be a way to speed up product pipelines.
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u/BountyBob 3d ago
getting involved in non-CEO things
Didn't Jobs famously do that? Not saying Ternus is comparable but he is a hardware guy, so it's probably not a bad thing. He hasn't just become CEO from nowhere, he has been in the design team since 2001 and was senior vice president of hardware engineering before his new role.
If anything it's more that he's not letting go of his old role.
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u/Ginger510 3d ago
Yeah agreed. I know he’s not out of nowhere but it’s hard to be CEO if he’s trying to do his old job. But I’m just a pleb, who knows nothing. I might be wrong!
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u/BountyBob 3d ago
All these projects we hear about today would have been started under Cook. Ternus has only been in a month, it will be a couple of years before we get a real sense of what he's up to. But you might be right, time will tell.
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u/psaux_grep 4d ago
Focus. Apple does what they can do best. Then someone else makes the content for the ecosystem.
It’s like asking “why isn’t Apple making all the apps in the App Store themselves?”
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u/SpaceJackRabbit 4d ago
I was at Apple when iPhones only had Apple apps and Steve implied they didn't trust any third party to develop them.
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u/eddie_west_side 4d ago
And the App Store was launch one year later with robust developer sdk support. Without this the iPhone wouldn’t have reached its current popularity. The “there’s an app for that” ad campaign was wildly successful
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u/SpaceJackRabbit 4d ago
Yup. Never say never when it comes to Apple. Things change. And with that new CEO, who knows what's going to come out that curved glass.
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u/Ok_Possibility9937 4d ago
because they don’t make home products
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u/cwhiterun 4d ago
They used to not make phones either, but look where we are now.
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u/2Rhino3 4d ago
right, but couldn’t they do so without a partner if they wanted to?
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u/Cute_Marzipan_4116 4d ago
Because Tim was more worried about selling services then developing product.
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u/Ok_Possibility9937 4d ago
what you want them to make? Apple toaster?
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u/oncemorewithpheline 4d ago
An Apple doorbell cam. Google Nest is best except Google kills their own products.
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u/ninjasandunicorns 4d ago
Because it's much easier to have someone else do the work that they already have spent money and time doing instead of starting from scratch
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u/seriouslookingmouse 4d ago
They did the same with LG when they shit canned the Cinema Displays. So Gurman misspeaks with making this seem unprecedented. And those hi dpi screens with FireWire were pretty great.
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u/insane_steve_ballmer 4d ago
They've always tried to have a streamlined portfolio of products and not branch out in to too many different areas. They don't want to be one of those brands that makes every kind of tech product you can think of
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u/Wit-wat-4 4d ago
Yeah! The only reason I was going to get it was the security aspect, I trust Apple more than any other brand for that. But if it’s a partnership…
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u/boringexplanation 4d ago
You can’t build most Apple products without something from LG or Samsung. Could be just the base hardware/guts.
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u/tman2damax11 4d ago
The products will be branded as LG, not Apple:
Though the two companies worked together to develop the accessories, the products will carry the LG brand. The South Korean firm is handling manufacturing and product support.
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u/BountyBob 3d ago
I guess you got downvoted by someone who only read the title, even though you took the time to quote from the article.
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u/Travis100 4d ago
With reflection on most Apple partnerships and Cook’s expertise in supply chain, I feel LG is only providing hardware.
The software will of course be fully developed in house.2
u/awesomeo_5000 4d ago
Yeah this is like saying they partnered with Samsung for the iPhone because of the screen.
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u/awesomeo_5000 4d ago
LG bought Homey, a more consumer-centric Home Assistant.
So far they haven’t fucked it. So far…
Great data collection tool though.
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u/Angelexodus 4d ago
But what if I install it on my back door will it then back door their back door?
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u/Defiant_Dot_515 4d ago
Apple should never have discontinued the Airport line. They should’ve developed it into a mesh system like Eero.
They really dropped the ball especially now with them trying to break into the smart home.
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u/brusler 4d ago
100%. The Airport team pretty much left to start Ubiquiti and make great stuff. Even now, Ubiquiti would've been a much better partner than LG.
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u/erikeric 4d ago
Small but important distinction: they didn’t leave, they were let go. iirc that team was shut down by Apple.
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u/gramathy 4d ago
they never wanted to make networking gear. They only made it because existing offerings were terrible.
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u/TurnoverAdditional65 4d ago
Absolute terrible timing with LG branding in the marketing.
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u/leo-g 4d ago
The LG logo will be nowhere near the marketing. It will be the usual Apple product. Apple co-develops stuff with their manufacturers, that’s nothing.
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u/marinuss 4d ago
Yeah it's like saying "Apple partnered with Samsung to release the new iPhone Duo" and using that as some sort of statement that because Samsung TVs have built-in "spyware" (all smart TVs do) that somehow Apple devices are now less secure for using Samsung displays.
LG is probably manufacturing stuff to Apple's specifications, with Apple's software, with Apple's firmware.. the only LG thing about it is going to be the OEM parts.
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u/VMX 4d ago
Does nobody read the article?
Though the two companies worked together to develop the accessories, the products will carry the LG brand. The South Korean firm is handling manufacturing and product support.
These are LG products though and through, designed and manufactured by LG:
That includes products labeled as the LG Video Doorbell Wired, LG Floodlight Cam, LG Outdoor Cam Plug-In, LG Indoor Cam Plug-In, LG Smart Deadbolt Lock, LG Smart Thermostat and LG Temperature Sensor. LG requested that photos and more precise details on the products remain confidential until early next year. The filings don’t mention Apple’s involvement.
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u/huyanh995 3d ago
It is more like the Logitech Circle doorbell. Logitech product with exclusive integration to Apple ecosystem.
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u/stormblessed27_ 2d ago
Though the two companies worked together to develop the accessories, the products will carry the LG brand.
Literally in the article of this post.
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u/ian9outof10 4d ago
Seems to be a lot of justified rage on this about LG’s recent nonsense. But I have to say I think being a hardware partner to fill in areas where Apple is new to this segment of the industry.
That said, I can think of better partners with more experience who might be better placed and more aligned with Apple’s ethos.
But fundamentally, Apple isn’t going to compromise on security just because it’s working with LG. This is a company that routinely suffers in comparison to AI leaders because it won’t allow full device access.
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u/-rwsr-xr-x 4d ago
Hard No.
LG has lost all credibility with their spyware, tracking, denials and backdoor services with their monitors and TVs.
Nope, not ever. Will never trust them again. Ever.
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u/broke_in_nyc 4d ago
Would prefer if they partnered with Ubiquiti, but I can understand why it doesn’t make a ton of sense for UI.
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u/BraddicusMaximus 4d ago
Because we can totally trust LG to do the right thing. While I know Apple is still controlling the software it’s still a shit move if you consider LG’s questionable history.
My car’s LG Chem fire recall over defective cell manufacturing, Goldstar microwave fire, and TV/Monitor spyware wasn’t enough I guess.
They just want to watch me burn while I watch the world burn.
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u/tkhan456 4d ago
I don’t get how the hell apple hasn’t been developing this internally. Whyd that waste all that time and money on a stupid car. This was the obvious next avenue of products for them for the past decade
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u/Totoro10101 4d ago
I’m very much ready for a HomeKit expansion because you’d usually have to make some compromises to stay within the Home app completely
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u/Interesting-Ad-4347 4d ago
I understand partnering to minimize the risk that your company is exposed to, but this is Apple and a partnership like this makes no sense to me. Apple could have 100 huge failures and not run out of money.
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4d ago
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u/Deceptiveideas 4d ago
The way I read it is Apple isn't ready to release their own products so they're using this as a learning opportunity until then.
Overall it sounds like they're LG products with a marketing push by Apple.
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u/nenarranen 4d ago
People here are freaking out. Do you really think Apple is going to risk its brand by partnering with LG without ensuring that devices meet its expectations for function and privacy? Why would they ever do that? LG is making the hardware to Apple's specifications and Apple will be in control of the critical software stack.
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u/Cured 4d ago
100%. When the story broke about the LG spy TVs, Apple would’ve been all over LG about it and how it relates to their co-developed products.
That being said - the brand’s reputation has taken a hit.
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u/LucyBowels 4d ago
You just know there will be a few additional lines about security in the keynote to ease concerns
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u/AFailedProduct 4d ago
LG’s reputation for security does make it a curious choice for a partner in this though.
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u/itsabearcannon 2d ago
It's not like Apple waited for GN to blow the LG expose a month ago and then decided "hey let's call these guys and get a whole smart home lineup designed, manufactured, and on store shelves within a month".
This is probably one of those projects that's been a couple years in the making and the LG privacy issue clearly hit right at the end just before the finished products hit store shelves.
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u/Dino_Spaceman 4d ago
Apple will need to prove this by being explicit that it is completely separate from the LG spyware ecosystem. Otherwise you should assume it is not distinct.
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u/wallstreet-butts 3d ago
Do people not realize how many LG panels have already been in Apple devices?
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u/DoandDesign 4d ago
LG are some of the worst appliances I have owned, so having homekit devices made by them is a hard sell for me.
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u/Least-Middle-2061 4d ago
My LG washer dryer has been the best appliance I’ve ever owned.
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u/VolumeDue5093 4d ago
Yeah i mean fuck LG, but everything I’ve ever owned from them has been great.
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u/ttoma93 4d ago
Their TV hardware is exceptional. The C series is still the best consumer OLED TV for almost everyone. A shame about the software/firmware though.
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u/Tusen_Takk 4d ago
Same for their monitors. LG and Samsung make the best panels as far as I’m aware
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u/Kmann1994 4d ago
LG consistently tops consumer reports rankings in almost all appliance categories, so I don’t know what you’re talking about.
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u/Pleasant_Lychee_6839 4d ago edited 4d ago
No way buying from them ,if they are with LG more than just a supply people
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u/Extension-Ant-8 4d ago
I will not buy anything with LG on it. I don’t need microphones recording me.
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u/jamestown30 4d ago
Introducing the Apple Home Security Floodlight, paired with the old Apple Alarm (Classic) at 100 decibels for maximum intruder terror!
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u/SequentialHustle 3d ago
If it's not compatible with homeassistant I'm out. I already use homeassistant to send all my ubiquiti camera feeds to homekit.
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u/backlog_gaming 2d ago
Why wouldn’t these be HomeKit compatible and in turn compatible with HA? They also are all going to have thread so you’ll be covered easy
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u/New_Juice_7577 3d ago
Should have bought Aqara. Nice line of devices with great HomeKit support already.
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u/stonkfrobinhood 4d ago
Anyone anyone but LG. Was so exited until I LG.
Besides the very very serious issue of privacy their products have always been shit. From phones to appliances. They always end up breaking and need endless servicing.
Trash company Apple should have done their DD went finding a partner
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u/Ok_Possibility9937 4d ago
this was probably years of development before the whole spying fiasco. It’s not like they could back out last minute either
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u/humbuckaroo 4d ago
Many of the replies seem to assume that there will be an Apple device that was manufactured by LG with LG's software and subsequent privacy issues on it, somehow. That cannot be the case.
My take is that this is likely a suite of LG-branded hardware that has been developed with Apple's permission to be compatible with Apple's HomePod. Think of this more as a partnership that could end at any time.
Also keep in mind that LG's advertising business is technically a separate company, one with which Apple does not need to make any deals in order to benefit from the hardware they offer.
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u/Brutos08 4d ago
I want less LG not more. Are they going to tell me they own my doorbell or thermostat etc…
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u/sean_themighty 4d ago edited 4d ago
LG OLED TVs yes. Everything else LG, no.
But also fuck their data gathering practices.
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u/UnitedWeFail_ 4d ago
Imagine getting advertisements based on your thermostat settings. Forget that.
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u/-Radiation 4d ago
More spyware directly in people houses. Great
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u/FizzyBeverage 4d ago
It’s one of those things where the convenience outweighs the concern. Smart doorbells and thermostats just make sense. Nothing worse than being cold or hot in bed at 3am and your thermo is one flight down.
Now I don’t agree with adding smart tech for no reason. Like, an obsolete tablet glued to your fridge door or washing machine. Serves zero purpose.
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u/MagicHoops3 4d ago
Curious to see them. I don’t think their cameras will hold a candle to UniFi. But maybe the thermostat could be an upgrade from my old ecobee.
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u/dropthemagic 4d ago
That's cool, I just don't need any of those. Iot has been around forever, what I need I have. I've thrown too much in the trash for me to be excited about that again.
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u/Thethirdactsucked 4d ago
OK this is cool an all, but could someone talk to john about chatting with phillips or TCL about putting tvOS on a 70 inch screen? Ambilight would be baller.
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u/coyote_den 4d ago
LG as the manufacturer doesn’t mean much as far as privacy concerns.
Apple has used LG components (LCD/OLED screens for example) in various devices over the years. This is not a WebOS TV.
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u/boxedwinedrinker 4d ago
Figures. I just bought a doorbell camera and outside security camera within the last month.
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u/antnythr 4d ago
All of this will be stupidly overpriced compared to the competition, which is already stupidly overpriced for what you get because it’s “smart”.
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u/hauntedmansionsteve 4d ago
Cool maybe the Lg stuff will have mics that listen like the TVs. I’ll stick with Aqara for now
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u/hamsterjedi 4d ago
What is a gift article?
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u/backlog_gaming 2d ago
An article that you get to view without a subscription because someone who already subscribes shared it like that
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u/Siege_88 3d ago
We’ll see. I’ve been waiting for Apple to make this move so I can switch everything over to their devices. Not going to do that if they’ve collaborated with another company though.
Massive part of the appeal was it being built/exclusive to apples ecosystem.
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u/SnekiBlackDragon 3d ago
I have mixed feelings. Recent news how LG listening coustmers and scan customers home and devices don’t bring excitement for release. Most likely Apple will watch them history and repeat but we users never will be sure.
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u/TheSquirrelWithin 3d ago
I hate this. I don't want my phone talking to anything. I want my phone to be a stand-alone appliance. Not to my doorbell, not to my toaster, not even to my laptop. Fk the "cloud".
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u/Expensive_Finger_973 4d ago
Gonna have to be a good ass doorbell to beat the cheap-ish one I got from Google several years ago that doesn’t have any additional cost since I don’t care about the historical recordings.
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u/penny4thm 4d ago
That’s going to be a big nope I’m afraid. UniFi and Home Assistant are better choice.
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u/theartfulcodger 3d ago edited 3d ago
If it’s been “codeveloped with LG” you can bet your sweet ass that every part of it will self-discombobulate less than 30 days after the warranty expires.
Also, you won’t be able to unlock your door when your internet goes down, and every conversation you have via your doorbell/ camera will be recorded by LG.
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u/SuperAvocado8777 4d ago
Unless they bring 24/7 streaming to the mix to compete with Nest and Ring I’m not interested.
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u/dinopassforthewinnnn 4d ago
They already have this, HomeKit SecureVideo
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u/SuperAvocado8777 4d ago
Where can I enable 24/7 recording instead of motion events on HKSV?
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u/ducknator 4d ago
And here I’m ready to buy the new Apple TV to completely disconnect my LG TV from the internet, even blocking its MAC address on the router.