Mark Gurman explained in the Power On newsletter that Apple is developing a smart doorbell and lock system that will unlock the door for known residents using Face ID. According to Gurman, the face-scanning doorbell would connect to a smart deadbolt, which could include existing HomeKit-compatible third-party locks. Or, Apple could “work closely with a specific lock manufacturer to offer a complete system on day one.”
However, even if we do see it, it’ll still be a while before we see the doorbell-lock system hit the market. Gurman explained that it’s in the early stages of development and won’t be ready until at least late next year.
According to Gurman, the doorbell will help Apple compete with companies like Amazon’s Ring and Google Nest, and it’s one of several smart home products Apple is building. The company is also reportedly developing a security camera for inside the home that will work with its alleged smart home hub, which is expected to launch next year.
Apple has called up shows like Silo, which is in the back half of its current season, and Severance, whose long-awaited second season premieres on January 17 (you can watch the first eight minutes of the premiere right now) but there’s a solid slate of TV shows and movies in addition to the well-known hits.
Why not stream a three-hour director’s cut of Napoleon? Or why not watch the tragically lost cult baby horror series Servant? It’s all theoretically on the menu.
While this kind of promotional experiment is new for Apple, Netflix has offered free weekends in the past as a way to drum up interest in subscriptions.
One way to look at Apple’s streaming strategy is that it’s a fast-paced lesson learned over the years by streamers like Netflix and Hulu, from risking serious money on auteurist passion products to now withdrawing from theatrical distribution, one of the few things that made Apple stand out from its competitors.
Maybe a free weekend would bring the company a few more customers, but at least it’s a good opportunity to see some good shows.