A rumored Apple Home hub could make many "smart" appliances unnecessary, but only if Apple can convince users its devices don't retain audio and video recordings.
The rumored accessory resembles a large tube of chapstick and would accompany Apple's Home hub tablet. It reportedly contains a sensor that captures footage at a low frame rate without actually recording video. Instead of placing a computer chip in every component of the home, Apple could use such sensors to understand the status of devices around the house.
For example, a sensor could detect that a dishwasher cycle has started, and the Home app could display "dishwasher running" in the Kitchen. The same approach could apply to washers, dryers and other appliances. Apple already uses AI analysis in its Apple Home Kit Secure Video features, and as models improve, an Apple TV could run basic sensor analysis locally. Siri could even alert a user that someone is in the shower elsewhere in the house and suggest waiting or setting a reminder.
The challenge is trust. Apple has spent more than a decade positioning itself as a leader in privacy and security, but convincing people that these sensors are not cameras will be difficult. Bathroom placement would demand especially high trust, and the concept only works if users believe the devices are truly private. As the author notes, Apple has already asked users to accept an Apple Watch that "listens" without recording audio, so it will need to make a similar case for a camera that does not record video.
Source: AppleInsider · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing