Apple launches video doorbell and smart cameras to enhance HomeKit privacy

Apple unveiled its first HomeKit hardware today, adding a wall‑mounted HomeView hub, a new Apple TV 4K, and the first three accessories in the Apple Home Collection: a video doorbell and two smart security cameras, all of which are now available to order.

The launch marks a turning point for Apple’s smart‑home strategy. Since introducing HomeKit in 2014, the company has relied on third‑party makers for doorbells and cameras, while rivals like Amazon and Google built entire ecosystems around those devices. Recent industry shifts toward the Matter standard and a growing consumer focus on privacy have pushed Apple to fill the gap with its own tightly controlled hardware. The move also follows Apple’s broader push into the connected home, highlighted by the inclusion of Thread radios in the latest Apple TV 4K and the company’s investment in on‑device AI.

HomeView is a square, 7‑inch touchscreen panel that doubles as a HomeKit hub and a Matter controller, supporting Thread, Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi‑Fi 6. The new Apple TV 4K, priced at $179, also includes a Thread radio, allowing it to serve as a secondary hub. The video doorbell, priced at $199, offers 1080p HDR video, facial recognition and end‑to‑end encryption, and it integrates with Apple Home Secure Video for iCloud storage. The two cameras, $149 each, capture 4K video, feature night vision and AI‑driven motion detection, and can be linked to HomeKit Secure Video for encrypted cloud backup. All three accessories are shipping in the United States in October, with plans to expand to Europe and Canada later this year.

Analysts expect Apple’s hardware rollout to accelerate adoption of its HomeKit platform, especially among privacy‑concerned consumers. The devices are positioned to showcase Apple’s commitment to the Matter ecosystem and to drive subscription revenue from HomeKit Secure Video. Apple has hinted at more accessories, such as smart lighting and thermostats, slated for release through 2025, aiming to create a cohesive, secure alternative to the fragmented offerings from other smart‑home vendors.