I think it only makes sense for people with kids who don’t have their own devices. It gives them a locked down portal in a “public” space of the home where they can ask questions, check the weather, or whatever else, without it all having to funnel through someone with a device.
The hope maybe also to get everyone’s nose out of their own devices.
There are so many important problems to solve. Is Apple then, not very ambitious here? Perhaps, it is only a first step a catch-up to their competitors Amazon and Google?
I guess it’s also supposed to be the shared job to control a smart home. Given the context of the launch, that’s probably the main use.
In that sense, some of it is playing catch up, or rounding out the ecosystem… but it’s an area I think most people don’t care about. People are disillusioned with smart devices that don’t add much utility, but cost more, break more, and spy on them. On top of that, most of this smart home stuff seems really finicky. A light switch just works, every time. With this new LG stuff solve that… I doubt it. Do people trust LG after the video on their TV’s recording everything said around them? I doubt it even more.
I think all these companies want the smart home to become a thing, because it would mean a nearly endless supply of new products to sell people. Until Apple starts making the actual security cameras, a home server to store the videos, door bells, plugs, etc… this space still feels more like a hobby for them.
The hope maybe also to get everyone’s nose out of their own devices.