Apple’s “Welcome Home” Event Could Reveal Its Biggest Smart Home Push Yet — With LG And Schneider Onboard

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Apple has scheduled product announcements for Oct. 13 and teased them with the words “Welcome home.” Bloomberg has reported that Apple is working with LG on seven smart home accessories, while software findings point to Schneider Electric products receiving special handling in Apple Home; the companies’ plans and any launch details remain unconfirmed.

Apple has set Oct. 13 for its next product announcements, teasing the event with “Welcome home.” The message has prompted speculation about a larger Apple Home push, as Bloomberg has reported Apple is helping LG develop seven smart home accessories and software findings point to selected Schneider Electric products receiving special treatment. Apple has not confirmed that those products will be announced at the event.

The teaser video was posted Oct. 8 by Apple marketing chief Greg Joswiak and shows an embroidered rainbow Apple logo. The wording and accompanying reports suggest the event may focus on the home, but the company has not publicly specified what it will announce. The event date and teaser are confirmed; the product lineup is not.

Bloomberg previously reported that Apple is working with LG on a lineup of seven accessories: a wired video doorbell, smart deadbolt, thermostat, temperature sensor, indoor camera, outdoor camera and floodlight camera. The report said the devices would carry LG branding, with Apple involved in design, features and engineering. Regulatory filings offer early details on three devices, including a thermostat using 24-volt AC power with Bluetooth Low Energy and Thread, a battery-powered temperature and humidity sensor, and a deadbolt listed in Graphite and Silver.

Separate findings in iOS 27.2, identified by researcher pdfu, include 10 accessory identifiers in a HomeKit Matter table called “_secondPartyProducts.” Six identifiers correspond to LG products or variants; four use Schneider Electric’s vendor ID. These are identifiers, not proof of 10 distinct products. The Schneider entries point to a thermostat, a thermostat QA variant, a temperature and humidity sensor, and an unidentified accessory.

Apple’s Home Strategy Takes Shape

If the reported partnerships result in products, Apple could have more influence over both the hardware available for Apple Home and how those devices are set up and controlled. That would go beyond relying on general Matter compatibility, the shared smart home standard, and could help address the familiar mismatch between platform features and the devices that support them.

Closer coordination may matter to buyers looking for categories such as locks, cameras and thermostats that work smoothly with Apple’s software. It could also widen the choices available to Apple Home users, including options at different price points. Those outcomes remain possibilities, not announced benefits: the source material does not establish prices, release dates, or which devices Apple will support at launch.

The software evidence suggests Apple may distinguish certain partner products within its system. For Schneider’s thermostat, the setup configuration reportedly mentions “Proximity Settings.” The researcher said this may relate to distance or occupancy sensing for climate control or display wake-up, but the phrase alone does not confirm how the feature would work for consumers.

Matter Partners and Earlier Features

Apple already offers some smart home functions beyond basic Matter support. Its Adaptive Lighting feature appeared in HomeKit before becoming available for supported Matter lights. Apple’s Adaptive Temperature has also been supported by Aqara’s Thermostat Hub W200, which the source describes as adjusting heating and cooling based on whether a person is home, asleep or away. These examples show that platform-specific features can depend on coordination with device makers.

Thread connectivity is another part of that picture. Since iOS 18, compatible Thread-equipped iPhones can set up and directly control selected Eve accessories without a home hub, according to the source. A hub can later add remote access and broader automation. These examples provide context for why Apple might work with manufacturers on both devices and software, but they do not confirm the specifications of any upcoming Apple or LG product.

LG already sells a range of connected home products and its ThinQ ON hub, introduced at IFA 2024, is described by LG as Matter-certified with Wi-Fi and Thread support. Schneider’s appearance in the software findings comes as it pursues an acquisition of Shelly Group. Shelly announced an investment agreement supporting the proposed takeover on Sept. 24, and its board backed the offer on Oct. 5. Completion is expected in the first quarter of 2027, subject to regulatory clearance and a minimum acceptance threshold of 95%.

““Welcome home.””

— Apple, in the event teaser posted by Greg Joswiak on Oct. 8

Products and Features Still Unconfirmed

Apple has not announced that LG or Schneider Electric will appear at the Oct. 13 event, nor has it confirmed product names, prices, availability or launch regions. Bloomberg’s reported LG collaboration and the software identifiers are evidence of possible development, but neither establishes a public release schedule.

The 10 software identifiers should not be read as 10 finished products. The Schneider list includes a QA variant and an unidentified accessory, and the researcher’s interpretation of “Proximity Settings” remains tentative. It is also unclear whether the references describe products intended for consumers, how much functionality would require Apple hardware, or whether the devices would support Matter broadly.

Watch for Apple’s Oct. 13 Announcements

The next confirmed milestone is Apple’s Oct. 13 event. The company’s announcements will show whether “Welcome home” refers to smart home products, software, or another part of its lineup. Until then, the reported LG collaboration and Schneider references should be treated as indications of possible plans rather than confirmed launch details.

If Apple discusses new home accessories, the details to watch are which products it names, when they will be sold, their compatibility requirements, and whether Apple describes any features beyond Matter support. The source material provides no confirmed date for LG or Schneider products to reach customers.

Key Questions

When is Apple’s “Welcome home” event?

Apple has scheduled its next product announcements for Oct. 13. Its marketing chief Greg Joswiak posted the teaser on Oct. 8.

Has Apple confirmed new smart home products?

No. Apple has confirmed the event date and shared the “Welcome home” message, but it has not confirmed a smart home product lineup.

What LG products are reportedly in development?

Bloomberg reported that Apple is helping LG develop seven accessories: a video doorbell, smart deadbolt, thermostat, temperature sensor, indoor camera, outdoor camera and floodlight camera. Their release timing and availability have not been confirmed.

What do the Schneider Electric software references show?

Researcher pdfu identified four accessory identifiers associated with Schneider Electric in an iOS 27.2 table. They point to a thermostat, a thermostat QA variant, a temperature and humidity sensor, and an unidentified accessory; they do not confirm that the products have been announced or released.

What does “second-party” mean here?

The software table uses the label “_secondPartyProducts” for selected accessory identifiers. The source report says this may indicate that Apple distinguishes certain accessories in its software, but Apple has not explained the label publicly.

Source: rss