Apple and LG Smart Home Gear Tipped for iPhone Tap Controls

Leaked information indicates Apple has helped develop a set of LG-branded smart home devices that work closely with iPhones. The reported lineup covers a thermostat, a temperature sensor, a smart deadbolt, a wired video doorbell, and indoor/outdoor cameras. A new Proximity Control feature would use the Dynamic Island to surface device-specific shortcuts, such as thermostat controls or live camera views, when an iPhone is brought near an accessory.
Leaked details describe an LG-branded home lineup that Apple reportedly helped create, spanning climate control, entry, and surveillance. The listed items include a thermostat, a separate temperature sensor, a smart deadbolt, a wired video doorbell, and cameras intended for indoor and outdoor use.
The software side centers on Proximity Control, which surfaces accessory-specific actions when an iPhone nears a device. Dynamic Island models show prompts; older iPhones and iPads use a 30-second banner. Home app settings can disable prompts per accessory. Early iOS 27 builds tested Never, Ask to Launch, and Launch Automatically, later reduced to one toggle matching Ask to Launch.
This could affect iPhone owners who use smart home devices, making routine control faster through proximity prompts. It may also influence how accessory makers design setup and interoperability, potentially deepening Apple's ecosystem lock-in. Privacy-sensitive users may weigh convenience against automatic prompts, though a per-device toggle could mitigate concerns. LG and competing platforms may face pressure to match tighter phone-to-home integration.