Apple held its "Welcome Home" media event on October 13, 2026. For over a decade, Apple treated home automation as software. It set HomeKit guidelines, added Siri, and co-founded Matter and Thread. Now Apple builds hardware too. It co-developed the Apple Home Collection with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric. Here at Star Tech, we break down every feature, spec, and price below.
Table of Contents
- Apple Home Collection Features and Specifications
- Apple HomeView
- Apple TV 4K
- Apple HomePod mini 2
- iCloud+ Plans for Cameras
- LG Video Doorbell vs Ring vs Google Nest
- LG Smart Deadbolt vs Schlage vs Aqara
- LG and Schneider Thermostat vs Nest vs Ecobee
- Regional Availability and Price
- Who Should Buy the Apple Home Collection
Apple Home Collection Features and Specifications
Apple, LG, and Schneider Electric
Apple worked with LG and Schneider Electric from the first product design. It did not license its logo to generic third parties. The goal is clear: challenge Amazon (Ring and Blink) and Google (Nest) with a privacy-first suite. You need no third-party apps.
Required Apple Home Hubs
Every setup needs an Apple Home hub. The hub handles automation processing, remote connectivity, and local media execution. The table below shows your three hub options.
| Device | Price | Processing Silicon | Key Hardware Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple HomeView | $299.00 | A18 Chip | 7" Liquid Retina (0.3 to 500 nits), 12MP Center Stage, Facial Recognition up to 6 profiles, Spatial Audio speaker base |
| Apple TV 4K | $299.00 | A19 Chip | 4 far-field mics, Siri Remote Find My, Wi-Fi 7, Spatial Surround Sound pairing up to 4 HomePods |
| Apple HomePod mini 2 | $149.00 | S10 Chip | Wi-Fi 6E, Thread mesh support, dynamic "sound glow" top lighting, built-in ambient temp and humidity sensors |
Apple HomeView
Apple HomeView has a 7-inch Liquid Retina display at 1088x1088 resolution and 220 ppi, with True Tone. Brightness starts at 0.3 nits for nightstands and reaches 500 nits. The Apple HomeView tabletop version has a domed aluminum speaker base with Spatial Audio and a stainless steel hinge. A wall-mounted option costs $299 separately.
HomeView AI and Facial Recognition
The A18 chip powers Apple HomeView. Its 12MP Center Stage camera recognizes up to six household members by face and voice. The screen then switches to personal calendars, messages, and music widgets. Secure Exclaves inside the chip process biometric profiles in isolation, which protects your data.
HomeView Software and Availability
Apple HomeView runs dedicated software powered by Siri AI and Apple Intelligence. It uses a CarPlay-style widget layout and has no traditional app store. HomeView will not launch in the European Union at first. Apple cites regulatory considerations around Siri AI availability.
Apple TV 4K
The A19 chip powers the new Apple TV 4K, which costs $299. Four far-field microphones sit inside the housing, so you control Siri hands-free from across the room. The redesigned Siri Remote uses Precision Finding through Find My. Wi-Fi 7 adds faster connectivity. You can pair up to four HomePod mini 2 or HomePod speakers for spatial surround sound.
Apple HomePod mini 2
Apple HomePod mini 2 costs $149 and uses the S10 chip. It supports Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6.0, and Thread mesh. The top light, called sound glow, changes color to match album artwork. Built-in sensors measure ambient temperature and humidity.
LG Video Doorbell Wired
This doorbell uses two cameras. The 2.5K front camera captures visitors, and a Full HD downward camera watches packages. LG Video Doorbell Wired adds a built-in spotlight and two-way audio. Chimes sound through your HomePod or HomeView hubs.
LG Floodlight Cam
The LG Floodlight Cam records 2.5K video and costs $399.95. It has dual motion-activated adaptive floodlights. Low-light color night vision keeps footage clear after dark. A 100dB siren warns off intruders.
LG Outdoor Cam Plug-In
The LG Outdoor Cam costs $299.95 and records at 2.5K resolution. Low-light color night vision shows detail at night. The weather-resistant housing installs in a simple plug-and-play form.
LG Indoor Cam Plug-In
The LG Indoor Cam costs $199.95 and offers a 2.5K resolution with a 160° field of view. A motorized mechanical privacy tilt points the lens downward automatically. It moves when geofencing detects a family member at home. You can see the privacy protection with your own eyes.
LG Security Camera Comparison
The table below compares the three LG cameras. Unlike software lens toggles on Nest or Ring, the Indoor Cam physically tucks its lens out of view.
| Model | Price | Resolution & FOV | Standout Privacy / Hardware Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| LG Indoor Cam | $199.95 | 2.5K Resolution / 160° FOV | Motorized Mechanical Privacy Tilt (lens points down automatically when family arrives) |
| LG Outdoor Cam | $299.95 | 2.5K / Low-Light Color Night | Plug-and-play weather-resistant housing with low-light color night vision |
| LG Floodlight Cam | $399.95 | 2.5K / Dual Floodlights | Motion-activated adaptive floodlights + 100dB siren |
HomeKit Secure Video and Apple Intelligence
Video history uses HomeKit Secure Video, with 10 days of encrypted storage. Eligible iCloud+ tiers unlock Apple Intelligence video summaries. They also unlock natural-language search inside recorded footage.
iCloud+ Plans for Cameras
Your iCloud+ plan decides how many HomeKit Secure Video cameras you can add. An existing plan means no extra camera subscription.
| iCloud+ Plan Tier | Monthly Price | Camera Support & Features |
|---|---|---|
| 50GB Plan | $0.99 | Supports 1 HKSV Camera (10-day encrypted history) |
| 200GB Plan | $2.99 | Supports up to 5 HKSV Cameras |
| 2TB Plan | $9.99 | Supports Unlimited HKSV Cameras |
| 6TB / 12TB Tiers | $29.99–59.99 | Unlimited Cameras + full Apple Intelligence multi-stream video summaries |
LG Smart Deadbolt Lock
The LG deadbolt uses Ultra Wideband to detect your approach with an Apple Watch or iPhone. It then unlocks hands-free through the Home Key. You also get an integrated PIN pad, NFC tap, and a physical backup key. Tamper detection adds security. The lock works entirely locally, even without the internet.
LG and Schneider Smart Thermostats
Both thermostats cost $199.95. Adaptive Temperature adjusts automatically for home, away, and sleep states. Clean Energy Guidance in the US shifts heating and cooling to off-peak hours. Matter over Thread handles connectivity.
Room Climate Sensors
LG and Schneider both sell standalone room sensors for $39.95. They monitor temperature and humidity room by room. You get multi-room sensing without extra hardware. Ambient sensors also work with HomeView.
Setup, Standards, and Privacy
Setup takes a single NFC tap with an iPhone. Devices adopt your home Wi-Fi credentials and sync Thread network keys automatically. You need no third-party app or account. Every accessory supports end-to-end encryption, Siri voice control, Matter, Thread, and Aliro. You manage everything inside the Apple Home app.
LG Video Doorbell vs Ring vs Google Nest
The LG doorbell covers visitors and packages at the same time. Ring and Nest charge monthly fees for cloud history, while LG uses your iCloud+ plan.
| Feature | LG Video Doorbell (Apple) | Ring Battery Doorbell Pro | Google Nest Doorbell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camera Resolution | 2.5K Main + Full HD Bottom | 1536p HD | 960x1280 HD |
| Package Monitoring | Dedicated Downward Lens | Radar Motion Detection | Single Lens AI Detection |
| Setup Method | Single-Tap iPhone NFC | Ring App + QR Code Scan | Google Home App Scan |
| Monthly Subscription | $0 Extra (Uses iCloud+) | $4.99–19.99/mo (Ring) | $8.00–15.00/mo (Nest Aware) |
| Ecosystem Lock-In | Apple Home / iOS | Amazon Alexa / Ring | Google Home / Android |
LG Smart Deadbolt vs Schlage vs Aqara
Schlage and Aqara need a manual NFC tap on the lock face. LG uses Ultra Wideband to unlock hands-free as you approach. It also runs locally during internet outages.
| Feature | LG Smart Deadbolt (Apple) | Schlage Encode Plus | Aqara U200 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Technology | Ultra Wideband (UWB) + NFC | NFC Home Key / Wi-Fi | NFC Home Key / Bluetooth |
| Proximity Unlocking | Hands-Free Proximity | Manual NFC Tap Required | Manual NFC Tap Required |
| Backup Access | PIN Pad, Key, NFC | Keypad, Physical Key | Keypad, Fingerprint, Key |
| Protocol Standard | Matter / Aliro over Thread | Wi-Fi / HomeKit | Matter over Thread |
| Local Offline Mode | Full Local Execution | Limited Offline | Local Thread Execution |
LG and Schneider Thermostat vs Nest vs Ecobee
The LG and Schneider thermostats cost less than both rivals. They also pair with ambient sensors inside HomeView.
| Feature | LG / Schneider Thermostat | Google Nest 4th Gen | Ecobee Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Price | $199.95 | $279.99 | $249.99 |
| Connectivity | Matter over Thread | Matter / Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi / HomeKit |
| Multi-Room Sensing | Standalone Sensors ($39.95) | Nest Temperature Sensor | Ecobee SmartSensor |
| Hub Integration | Ambient Sensors in HomeView | Separate Nest Connect | Standalone Hub |
| Energy Management | Clean Energy Guidance (US) | Nest Renew | Eco+ Smart Schedule |
Regional Availability and Price
Releases begin in December 2026. Select items follow in early 2027. Security cameras and the video doorbell launch in the US, Canada, and the UK. The Smart Deadbolt, thermostats, and sensors launch in the US and Canada first. Apple Retail will offer optional ADT installation in the US. Bangladesh price and availability are not announced yet. When Apple Home Collection arrives, you will find it at Star Tech with the best price and official warranty.
Who Should Buy the Apple Home Collection
Buy it if your home already runs on iPhone, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and MacBook. Hands-free Ultra Wideband unlocking and single-tap NFC pairing feel seamless in that setup. Privacy-conscious owners get local encryption, no third-party accounts, and a motorized camera privacy tilt. An existing iCloud+ plan at 50GB, 200GB, or 2TB adds HomeKit Secure Video cameras with no extra monthly fee.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
How much does the Apple Home Collection cost?
Prices run from $39.95 for a sensor to $399.95 for the Floodlight Cam. The doorbell costs $249.95, the lock $349.95 and each thermostat $199.95.
When does the Apple Home Collection launch?
Sales start in December 2026 in the US, Canada and the UK. Some products arrive in early 2027.
Is the Apple Home Collection available in Bangladesh?
Apple has not announced a Bangladesh launch. When Apple Home Collection arrives, you will find it at Star Tech with the best price and official warranty.
Do I need an LG or Schneider app?
No. Every accessory sets up and runs inside the Apple Home app.
Do I need a home hub?
Yes. A HomePod, Apple TV or HomeView acts as the hub for remote access and automations.
Does the Apple Home Collection work with Android?
Setup starts with a tap from an iPhone, so Android owners should look at other brands.
Is the LG doorbell better than Ring?
It costs about the same as the Ring Wired Doorbell Pro. The difference is storage. Video stays in your iCloud+ plan, so there is no separate Ring subscription.
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