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Kuo: Apple Planning Smart Home Camera and New AirPods With More Health Features

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In a blog post today, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed two new products that Apple apparently plans to release in a few years from now, including a smart home camera and updated AirPods with more health management features.

homekit-showdown-redux.jpg

Kuo said mass production of Apple's smart home camera is scheduled to begin in 2026, and the company apparently aims to sell tens of millions of them over the long term. He said the camera will have wireless connectivity, and deep integration with Apple Intelligence and Siri, but he did not mention any other specific features.

Previous rumors have indicated that Apple is planning to release a smart home display, but that device is expected to launch as early as 2025, so it seems like the 2026 camera that Kuo has mentioned here is a different product.

As for the AirPods, Kuo simply said that future models of the earbuds will have "more health management features" like the Apple Watch, and that Chinese manufacturer Goertek will serve as the primary supplier of a 2026 AirPods model. The new smart home camera will also be assembled by Goertek, according to the analyst.

We previously reported that Apple's upcoming Powerbeats Pro 2 will offer heart rate monitoring during workouts, and perhaps that feature will extend to AirPods in the future. In addition, health-focused sensors that could allow for features like body temperature measuring have been rumored for AirPods in the past.

Article Link: Kuo: Apple Planning Smart Home Camera and New AirPods With More Health Features
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/11/11/kuo-apple-smart-home-camera-and-more-2026/
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I definitely would like for Apple to add more health features to the AirPods, especially the AirPods Pro

If Apple updates the AirPods Pro in September, I’m definitely going to get the new version, especially if new health features are included in the 3rd generation AirPods Pro
 
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adammusic said:
Fix HomeKit first. Got a new lifx bulb with HomeKit. Control center widget is buggy. Light goes offline (no response). Wall Light switch control takes a couple toggles.
Homekit seems super unreliable.
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I think the biggest help here would be if Apple would bring back their AirPort line of Wi-Fi routers. Oftentimes, complaints about HomeKit are really complaints about flaky Wi-Fi.
 
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xizdun said:
Holy sh*t, this is big news. Can't wait to trash my non-functioning Logitech Circle HKSV cameras.
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Apple will buy the rights to the Circle HKSV cams, but instead of plastic it will be metal for even worse heat dissipation and wifi signal ;)

In all seriousness, this will be a very popular product. I wouldn't necessarily upgrade since I could not be happier with my Unifi Protect cams (AI Pros, G4 Doorbell Pro, etc.), but for many people that is too big of hurdle to get all of the needed Unifi equipment and have wired PoE. And nonetheless, there is a void for indoor cams that have Siri/Apple Intelligence/Facetime, so even folks with Unifi gear might want a product like that.
 
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I hope I am wrong, but I suspect their smart home camera won't be what most of us wants -- doorbell camera and floodlight camera. Instead, I suspect it will likely be an indoor camera, perhaps with wheels.

I don't think Apple wants to deal with anything that requires that requires or demands a professional installation.
 
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adammusic said:
Fix HomeKit first. Got a new lifx bulb with HomeKit. Control center widget is buggy. Light goes offline (no response). Wall Light switch control takes a couple toggles.
Homekit seems super unreliable.
Click to expand...
That's more Lifx than HomeKit, rather smart home devices that uses Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi smart home devices soemetimes lose connection and don't reconnect unless you restart it. Restarting light switches or lightbulbs is no fun.
 
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Muero said:
I think the biggest help here would be if Apple would bring back their AirPort line of Wi-Fi routers. Oftentimes, complaints about HomeKit are really complaints about flaky Wi-Fi.
Click to expand...
Loved the Airports. Still have my TimeCapsule and AirPort Extreme. Though they are not in use. I use the Amplifi Alien. It helps now that you can set a default home hub and choose one that is cabled in. That has reduced dropouts in audio and Siri commands at home.
 
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@Brett said:
Apple should have bought Nest instead of of letting Google run it into the ground. But if Apple is doing smart home cameras. Count me in. I will happily ditch the Nest stuff and get full fledged Homekit gear.
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Why? Tony Fadell left and made it a point to crap on Apple at every opportunity. The last thing they should have done was reward him. In fact, he spends more time whining about what he dislikes about them than he does trying to build something new, and by all accounts he was awful to work for.
 
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tothemoonsands said:
Apple will buy the rights to the Circle HKSV cams, but instead of plastic it will be metal for even worse heat dissipation and wifi signal ;)

In all seriousness, this will be a very popular product. I wouldn't necessarily upgrade since I could not be happier with my Unifi Protect cams (AI Pros, G4 Doorbell Pro, etc.), but for many people that is too big of hurdle to get all of the needed Unifi equipment and have wired PoE. And nonetheless, there is a void for indoor cams that have Siri/Apple Intelligence/Facetime, so even folks with Unifi gear might want a product like that.
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I did the same thing. Got tired of waiting for Apple to take HK seriously.

While I’m enjoying Ubiquiti, there still are some nagging issues with the setup. I live in the desert and the G4 Pro doorbell does not work well in the summer. (POE Version)

Also, I have packet loss and network spikes that were not present in my previous Eero setup.

I do like the responsiveness of the Ubiquiti cameras with them being POE.

However, one has to run yet another device into the chain to get them back into HK. It would be nice if Apple would just allow other devices to be linked to HK. Would save them a lot of time and money.

Still waiting on allowing selective control options within HK. Would love to give people certain access to some devices but not others. They have also dropped the ball on HomeKey and have just abandoned on promised features.
 
TonyC28 said:
HomeKit cameras would be great, but I’ll hold my excitement until I see how high the Apple Tax is on them.
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People: “Apple products cost too much! I’m tired of the greedy apple tax!”

Same people: “omg I can’t believe my discount electronic junk from some no-name company on Amazon barely worked and now is losing support after 2 months! I paid a good 20 dollars on that security system!”
 
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I have 10 year old Hikvision POE cameras and just switched them from Blue Iris (about $80 one time) running on a Win 7 machine to SecuritySpy ($120 for 4 cameras one time) on my current 2018 Mac Mini. They have been rock solid. I have no need to run HK.
 
@Brett said:
Apple should have bought Nest instead of of letting Google run it into the ground. But if Apple is doing smart home cameras. Count me in. I will happily ditch the Nest stuff and get full fledged Homekit gear.
Click to expand...
Apple didn’t want Tony Fadell back.
 
I wonder if this would trigger some sort of anti-trust investigation if Apple started competing with other smart home device manufacturers.

I've had good luck with my TP-Link smart outlets and Meross smart bulbs. All the lights in my home office turn on when I arrive and turn off when I leave. Homekit automation is nice!

It's much better than the Samsung SmartThings devices I had before.

I like a first-party solution. If Apple wanted to get serious about the smart home... I've heard people say Apple should start offering their own smart bulbs, smart outlets, smart door locks, and smart cameras. The basics of the smart home.

But again... I worry that it could invite investigation.
 
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Michael Scrip said:
I wonder if this would trigger some sort of anti-trust investigation if Apple started competing with other smart home device manufacturers.

I've had good luck with my TP-Link smart outlets and Meross smart bulbs. All the lights in my home office turn on when I arrive and turn off when I leave. Homekit automation is nice!

It's much better than the Samsung SmartThings devices I had before.

I like a first-party solution. If Apple wanted to get serious about the smart home... I've heard people say Apple should start offering their own smart bulbs, smart outlets, smart door locks, and smart cameras. The basics of the smart home.

But again... I worry that it could invite investigation.
Click to expand...

I really don’t think Apple can compete on mature and inexpensive products like smart bulbs and outlets. Smart locks that require installation is not something Apple likes to do.
 
Muero said:
I think the biggest help here would be if Apple would bring back their AirPort line of Wi-Fi routers. Oftentimes, complaints about HomeKit are really complaints about flaky Wi-Fi.
Click to expand...
Yes it would be awesome if they released an updated Time Capsule with newer Wi-fi tech. I still have one connected to my network with media files for all my Apple devices to access around the house.
 
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