LG and Apple are building smart home devices to catch up to Amazon and Google

Credit: LG Published Oct 7, 2026, 10:43 AM EDT Jon is a seasoned journalist who has written definitive coverage of consumer tech at publications like Engadget, Android Authority, and BetaKit. He's an expert on making tech accessible ranging from mobile and PCs to emerging platforms like wearables. When he's not writing, he's going on adventures with ihis family and is an avid photographer. Sign in to your How-To Geek account LG is diving into the smart home space occupied by heavyweights like Google's Nest and Amazon's Ring — with some unconventional help. Apple is reportedly co-developing a slew of devices with LG as part of a reset of its smart home strategy. The hardware has surfaced in Federal Communications Commission (FCC) filings and include a video doorbell, thermostat, smart lock, temperature sensor, and a range of indoor and outdoor security cameras. While the listings don't mention Apple, Bloomberg sources claim the iPhone maker it was directly involved and has ensured compatibility with HomeKit as well as more universal standards like Matter and Thread. The smart lock will apparently use ultra-wideband (UWB) to unlock as you get close to the door. Apple is said to be releasing a range of new and upgraded smart home devices on October 13. The highlight is an expected smart home hub with a small square touchscreen and options for either an iMac G4-style base or wall mounting. Other launches could include a long-awaited Apple TV 4K update and a Siri AI-compatible refresh of the HomePod mini smart speaker. LG's lineup won't be ready for "a few more months," according to the sources. It's unciear if that will lead to a CES 2027 debut. Apple and LG aren't commenting on their plans. Apple routinely teams with other companies to make devices it can't justify building itself, including LG. When it stopped making displays for years, it partnered with LG to release UltraFine monitors that had Mac-friendly resolutions and Thunderbolt ports. The team-up comes at an awkward time for LG, which has been accused of snooping on TV users and otherwise violating their privacy. LG has rebuffed the allegations. Why is Apple rebooting its smart home strategy? Amazon and Google are still ahead Apple premiered its HomeKit smart home platform in 2014, and has gradually expanded both its capabilities and the number of third-party devices that support.the technology. Matter also helps Apple handle products that aren't explicitly built for its framework. However, HomeKit has trailed behind Amazon Alexa and Google Home, both of which have much larger ecosystems and their own in-house products. They've also had more sophisticated voice control — Apple has supposedly been sitting on its hub, Apple TV 4K, and HomePod updates until Siri AI was ready to replace its limited predecessor. The upcoming LG suite potentially helps Apple make HomeKit relevant, and makes sure that at least some major devices are designed with the platform in mind. That, in turn, could keep people attached to iPhones and Macs where they'd otherwise drift toward Android and Windows.