Apple is about to kick off what’s arguably its first serious push into smart home products, starting with two launches very soon but ramping up in 2026. And Samsung just provided users another great reason to wait for Apple’s products.
Apple rumored to be expanding Home product offerings
Apple’s efforts in the smart home space have seemed, for a long time, more like a hobby than a serious product line.
I’m a fan of the Apple TV 4K and HomePod, but outside of those two products, Apple has largely been content to let third parties build the various accessories that power a smart home.
HomeKit exists, of course, but Apple’s first-party Home products remain limited.
Next year that appears set to change, with rumored new Apple products like:
The new HomePod with a screen will be an instant purchase for me, but I’m also very excited for Apple to expand its Home product horizons with the security camera and smart doorbell.
My experience with third-party smart home accessories has been highly mixed. And trying to make everything work seamlessly together with HomeKit and Apple’s Home app has at times caused headaches.
Based on Apple’s product history, I expect its new Home accessories to be a cut above the competition.
But they also, importantly, are unlikely to follow the path that Samsung is now following.
Samsung smart fridges now have ads following software update
The new powers of the smart home, while having a lot of potential to improve users’ lives, unfortunately seem to be increasingly used to advertise to users.
A couple recent examples include:
- Amazon saying Alexa+ will at some point include ads in conversations
- Roku auto-playing ads before you even reach your TV home screen
Now, the latest example is just as unfortunate—if not more so.
Samsung recently rolled out a software update to its smart refrigerators.
Thanks to that update, your fridge may now start showing you ads.
Here’s the statement the company gave to Android Authority:
Advertising will appear on certain Family Hub refrigerator Cover Screens. The Cover Screen appears when a Family Hub screen is idle. Ad design format may change depending on Family Hub personalization options for the Cover Screen, and advertising will not appear when Cover Screen displays Art Mode or picture albums.
Samsung says this is only a “pilot program” right now.
But the company also says this new ‘feature’ is part of its commitment “to innovation and enhancing every day value for our home appliance customers.” So don’t blame me for being skeptical.
With every such move from Apple’s competition, I grow all the more eager for Apple Home’s forthcoming new products. And though Apple may never make its own refrigerator, maybe the HomePod Touch will include a magnetic attachment that’s perfect for a fridge.
Are you looking forward to Apple’s new Home products? Let us know in the comments.
Best Apple Home accessories
- TP-Link Tapo 2K camera with HomeKit Secure Video
- Smart air purifier with Matter
- HomeKit Garage Door Opener
- HomeKit smart plug 4-pack
- ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential
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