Screen, cameras and even a lock: Apple unveils its smart home products

Apple has announced a series of smart home products, led by the HomeView screen, a collection of cameras and security accessories in partnership with LG, an upgraded Apple TV 4K media streamer, and the HomePod mini 2 speaker. Prices have risen due to the chip crisis.

Apple, under new CEO John Ternus, has announced a full-scale assault on the smart home market, aiming to directly compete with Amazon and Google. The highlight is the HomeView smart screen priced at $299, available in a tabletop or wall-mounted configuration, featuring a 12-megapixel camera for facial recognition and a personalized interface. Alongside it, the Apple Home Collection series was launched in partnership with LG and Schneider Electric, including security cameras, a smart doorbell, thermostats, and a digital lock, priced between $199 and $399. The Apple TV 4K media streamer has been upgraded with built-in microphones and the ability to pair with four HomePod speakers, but its price jumped from $199 to $299. The HomePod mini 2 speaker increased by $20 to $149, featuring a faster S10 processor and Sound Glow lighting. The announcements come days before the sale of the foldable iPhone Duo, marking Apple's ambition to become the exclusive operating system of users' digital lives.