Apple is reportedly partnering with LG to launch a smart lock, thermostat, and doorbell

techcrunch.com Oct 7, 2026

Apple is reportedly partnering with LG to launch a smart lock, thermostat, and doorbell

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 7, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Apple is collaborating with LG to develop a new line of smart home devices, including a smart lock, thermostat, and doorbell, all designed to work with Apple’s forthcoming smart home hub slated for launch on October 13. The hub will feature a 6‑inch square display suitable for countertop or wall mounting. The partnership also covers indoor and outdoor security cameras and a floodlight. LG-branded devices are expected to be announced next week, positioning Apple to compete directly with Amazon’s Ring and other smart‑home ecosystems.

💡 Why It Matters

· Apple’s entry into the smart‑home market signals a strategic shift toward integrated hardware ecosystems, potentially reshaping consumer expectations for seamless device interoperability.

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New Apple Home accessories are coming thanks to an unusual partnership with…

Apple is slated to unveil a new Apple Home event on October 13, featuring an Apple TV, an upgraded HomePod mini, and the long‑rumored Apple Home Hub. Bloomberg reports that Apple has partnered with LG to develop a smart deadbolt lock, indoor and outdoor security cameras, and a floodlight camera. These accessories will carry the LG brand, mirroring past Apple collaborations on iPhone peripherals. The partnership signals Apple’s push into a broader smart‑home ecosystem, expanding its hardware lineup beyond the HomePod.

💡 By aligning with LG, Apple taps a proven hardware partner to accelerate its smart‑home rollout, potentially setting a new standard for integrated home security and convenience.

9to5mac.com · Oct 7

Formula 1 on Apple TV is getting Dolby Atmos, starting this month

Beginning October 23, Apple TV will stream Formula 1 races in Dolby Atmos on supported devices, starting with the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin. Apple and Dolby Laboratories announced the partnership to add immersive spatial audio alongside Dolby Vision, aiming to place fans “at the heart of the action.” The feature will include team radio, commentary, engine roars, and pit‑lane sounds. Apple’s U.S. streaming rights cover only domestic races and do not require an extra subscription beyond Apple TV. The move follows Apple’s 2025 five‑year deal to expand F1 coverage.

💡 By integrating Dolby Atmos, Apple elevates the home‑viewing experience, positioning itself as a pioneer in sports streaming technology and strengthening its competitive edge in the niche of immersive broadcast content.

9to5mac.com · Oct 6

iFixit tears down Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, finds mixed…

iFixit completed teardown analyses of Apple’s September releases, the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4. Both models require the glued display to be pried open before the battery can be accessed, a major repair hurdle. The Ultra 4’s 2.444 Wh battery is slightly larger than the Ultra 3’s, yet its repairability score remains 4/10, unchanged from its predecessor. The Series 12’s 1.461 Wh battery benefits from stretch‑release adhesive and a pull tab, earning a 4/10 score—a one‑point rise over the Series 11. iFixit notes the Ultra 4’s screen removal remains a significant obstacle, while the Series 12’s tighter tolerances increase risk of damage during disassembly. The new press connector replaces the older ZIF design, meaning screen replacement now also necessitates battery removal. Compared to Google’s Pixel Watch 5, which scores 9/10, Apple’s watches lag in repairability.

💡 The teardowns reveal that Apple’s latest watches continue to prioritize design over serviceability, potentially driving higher repair costs and encouraging consumers to purchase new units. This persistence may influence future regulatory scrutiny and consumer expectations around repair-friendly design.

appleinsider.com · Oct 6

Apple’s Q4 2026 results will be on November 2

Apple announced that its fiscal fourth‑quarter 2026 earnings will be released on November 2, with a conference call at 5 p.m. EDT. The filing will be the first full set of results presented by new chief executive John Ternus, who succeeded Tim Cook, and will feature CFO Kevan Parekh. In its third‑quarter briefing, Apple projected year‑over‑year revenue growth of 9 % to 11 % for Q4, with iPhone sales expected to rise in the mid‑teens and Services to match Q3 growth. Analysts had previously forecast 12.1 % growth. The quarter follows September product launches—including the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone Duo, Mac mini, and Mac Studio—though their full financial impact is likely to be felt in the holiday‑driven first quarter.

💡 Ternus’s debut earnings call will reveal how the new leadership navigates supply‑chain strain and currency headwinds while steering the company toward its growth targets.

macworld.com · Oct 6

Touchscreen MacBook Pro rumours: Release date, OLED, specs and latest leaks

Apple is reportedly developing its first touchscreen MacBook Pro, slated for a late‑2026 or early‑2027 launch. The new models would feature OLED panels supplied by Samsung, a Dynamic Island cutout, and run on next‑generation M5 Pro or M5 Max silicon. Macworld and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman cite supply‑chain sources and software references confirming development, with a possible October‑November 2026 announcement. Touch capability is expected to be limited to premium configurations, potentially bundled with 5G and priced above the current $1,999 entry point. The redesign coincides with the MacBook Pro’s 20th anniversary and would mark Apple’s first foray into touchscreen laptops, a concept long dismissed by the company.

💡 Introducing a touchscreen MacBook Pro could redefine professional laptops by merging iPhone‑style interaction with macOS power, forcing competitors to rethink hardware‑software integration.

macworld.com · Oct 6

John Ternus is already doing it all

Apple’s newly appointed CEO John Ternus has completed just over a month in the role, prompting analysts to gauge his emerging leadership style. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Ternus is steering Apple toward a “more experimental” product cadence while maintaining a leaner workforce. A proposed plan to replace roughly 5,000 AppleCare support staff with AI‑driven agents was paused, and instead the company trimmed middle‑management positions. Ternus has also taken a hands‑on approach to design, regularly working in the Apple design studio—a contrast to Tim Cook’s limited visits. This dual focus on accelerated product releases and internal restructuring suggests Ternus may reshape Apple’s innovation pipeline and operational efficiency early in his tenure.

💡 Ternus’s hands‑on design involvement could accelerate Apple’s next wave of hardware, while the restrained AI rollout signals a cautious balance between cost cuts and customer service quality.