"Apple Developing Smart Home OS, Devices, and Robots"
AI Integration May Enable Home and App Control
Samsung Also Researching 'Personal Recognition' Environment Optimization Features
The competition between Apple and Samsung is expected to expand from smartphones to smart homes. While Samsung Electronics has begun research to enhance personalized experiences in home appliances, Apple is also developing new operating systems and devices to expand its market share in the smart home sector.
According to foreign media such as Bloomberg and PhoneArena on the 14th (local time), Apple is developing a home operating system (OS), smart displays, and desktop robots to expand the smart home market. Bloomberg reported, "Apple has begun to conquer the smart home by placing Apple screens and software throughout the house in a way that creates an end-to-end experience," adding, "Home hardware is expected to become Apple's top priority over the next two years."
The new products Apple is preparing are expected to be compatible with other brands. Bloomberg analyzed, "This is a response to Amazon and Google leading the smart home market," and "One reason Apple struggled was because it focused on creating premium products that operate within a closed ecosystem." It continued, "For Apple's next home hardware to succeed, it must support as many accessories as possible, and Apple is well prepared for this."
PhoneArena reported, "Apple will introduce affordable screens similar to iPads that can be placed throughout the home," adding, "This will allow users to use functions such as content streaming, FaceTime calls, and web browsing."
Artificial intelligence (AI) is also expected to influence Apple's smart home enhancement strategy. Apple Intelligence will support home control automation, application, device, and media control, and the voice assistant Siri may manipulate functions within apps. The operation of the 'desktop robot,' expected to cost $1,000, is also anticipated to be managed by AI, which can detect user behavior and speech. The new home OS will be built based on the tvOS operating system used in the Apple TV set-top box. Recently, Apple also revamped the Home app.
Since Samsung Electronics already revealed its smart home construction direction at the ‘Samsung Developer Conference (SDC) 2024’ held earlier this month in San Jose, USA, the competition between the two companies is expected to intensify. At the event, Samsung stated that it would recognize family members' voices to prevent outsiders from controlling devices and enable temperature and humidity control by utilizing connected devices and sensors in the home. It is also considering expanding SmartThings, the IoT service and app embedded in TVs, smart monitors, and refrigerators, to screen-equipped home appliances.
According to market research firm Fortune Business Insights, the global smart home market size reached $101.07 billion (approximately 137.23 trillion KRW) last year. The firm expects the market size to grow from $121.59 billion (approximately 165 trillion KRW) this year to $633.2 billion (approximately 859.76 trillion KRW) by 2032, recording an average annual growth rate of 22.9%.
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