The new HomePod barely unveiled, Apple would have in its bag other products to drive the connected home, including speakers with screen whispered for a long time, but also simpler hubs.
Who will get to “Matter” the smart home first? It’s the crazy race in which Apple, Google and Amazon have embarked to take control of connected objects in the home. The new Matter protocol, which is beginning to be integrated into bulbs, sockets and other connected devices, will unify languages to allow all objects to be compatible with each other. But they must then use the same input word: “OK Google”, “Alexa” or “Hey Siri”, when others also offer solutions such as Samsung’s SmartThings which was fired up at the last CES with a gallery of home automation products.
Everyone has therefore been doing their communication campaign for months to be the one that will offer the most ease of use and will attract the favor of users. To be the key to the door to the connected home, Apple therefore unveiled, on Wednesday, its new HomePod connected speaker which is now capable of real versatility in the management of the smart home thanks to a smart chip to pass the instructions, a temperature and humidity sensor, and an advanced version of its voice assistant. According to Bloombergit would not be the only device in the boxes for Apple, which does indeed plan to compete with Google and Amazon in this field.
Apple wants smart home displays
The e-commerce giant has a very wide range of Echo speakers and multiple devices with a screen (Echo Show) while Google has its Nest range, from the connected thermostat to the video doorbell. For its part, the Apple brand can rely on a large network of partners who embed its HomeKit technology to be controlled in particular by Siri, but few things truly stamped Apple. The time is therefore to increase the offer.
Citing anonymous sources internally, Bloomberg announces the imminent arrival of an iPad-type tablet that could control lights and temperature, possibly display video or even manage calls via FaceTime. A simple to use product that could be used as entry devices in home automation, with assets to take advantage of the services and functions of the brand, all fixed to the wall or placed on a piece of furniture. iPads can already serve as a home automation hub, but that’s not their primary function. There, it would be a product at a much more affordable price for lack of excessive possibilities.
Apple also seems to have understood that the control screens could be essential and, according to the specialized media, competitors of the Echo Show and Nest Hub are in sight. It’s been several years since the rumor of a HomePod surmounted by a screen and offering the possibilities of Apple TV has been whispered (applications, streaming services, music, etc.). With the deployment of a much more advanced and precise Siri to control the house, especially since the arrival of the HomePod mini intended as a low-cost multifunction home automation entry (99 euros) and in the recent overpowered Apple TV 4K, Apple has best assets to assert. The addition of Matter in all its devices and the redesign of the more ergonomic Home application will be serious.
