According to a report from Financial Associated Press on December 24 (Editor Zhao Hao), well-known Technology journalist Mark Gurman has revealed that after encountering some setbacks in 2024,$Apple (AAPL.US)$In the new year, the focus will be on three major growth opportunities: AI, Siasun Robot&Automation, and Smart Home.

Gurman wrote that Apple canceled its Autos project this year, and the Vision Pro headset received a lukewarm response. Looking ahead to next year, Apple's two major opportunities also face their own challenges, as the AI project is still catching up with competitors, while efforts in robotics will take years to yield results.

He added that in this environment, Smart Home technology will likely have the greatest impact for Apple in 2025, "After years of market dominance by Amazon and Google, Apple hopes to make a splash with a Smart Home control center that integrates AI."

According to Gurman, Apple believes it has an advantage in this field due to its long-standing commitment to privacy. Among the home devices developed by the company is a smart doorbell with advanced facial recognition capabilities that can wirelessly connect to door locks.

"This doorbell can automatically open the door by scanning the resident's face, just like Face ID can unlock an iPhone."

Gurman stated that this doorbell system will likely be compatible with many existing third-party door locks that support the Apple HomeKit protocol, and Apple may also collaborate with specified lock manufacturers to provide a complete system on the first day of release.

In line with Apple's typical style, the company will enter a field that is already mature but still has room for transformation. The doorbell and lock system supporting Face ID could pose real competition to Amazon Ring and Google Nest.

However, Gurman pointed out that the development of the doorbell is still in the early stages.

Someone told me that the earliest product launch won't happen until the end of next year. If it eventually hits the market, I expect to fully utilize the company’s upcoming Proxima Connection Chip and its secure area feature, which helps protect customer data.

Two weeks ago, also from Gurman's report, Apple will start using its self-developed Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Connection Chips next year. The chip, codenamed "Proxima," has been in development for several years and is now planned for initial production in 2025.

But Gurman noted that while the device sounds appealing, it also carries certain risks. Apple is very protective of its brand, and entering the home security field could put it in some dangerous situations.

For example, when Apple was developing Autos, executives were concerned about the risks associated with car accidents. Now they face the risk of home security vulnerabilities. Although the probability of the Face ID system being unlocked by the wrong person is less than one in a million, there is always a chance for the system to fail, allowing intruders to enter the home.

Additionally, there is a risk of burglary because intruders may be able to compromise third-party HomeKit locks. In such cases, Apple would have to face customers blaming the issue on them. However, Gurman believes that a security and privacy-focused company like Apple entering this field brings more benefits than drawbacks.

Gurman added that even if Apple ultimately decides not to launch its own product, there is another possible option: to sell the technology through third-party brands like Logitech International and Belkin, as Apple has already built strong relationships with them and participated in the engineering design of accessories.

Gurman believes that Apple can overcome its late shortcomings and occupy a place in the Smart Home market.

Editor/ping