We have already heard rumors that Apple could make a big push into the smart home market, which would include the release of an AI-enabled smart display. However, it appears that Apple also has plans for other devices, including a video doorbell with Face ID technology.

The news was reported by Mark Garman in the latest issue of his Power On newsletter. According to Garman, the doorbell will have the ability to wirelessly connect to compatible deadlocks, allowing users to unlock doors with Face ID. The product would be on the market by the end of 2025 at the earliest, according to the report.

He believes the feature will likely work with third-party locks that use Apple Homekit, but Apple could still partner with someone else to release an officially certified option. Gurman also said that the device will be compatible with Apple's upcoming Proxima wireless chip and may include a secure enclave feature to help protect data.

According to Gurman, work is still in the early stages, and sources say that the doorbell will not appear until late next year at the earliest. He also notes that this is a fairly competitive market, with Amazon's Ring dominating the smart doorbell and camera business. He also fails to mention competition from other companies that produce some of the best video doorbells, such as Google Nest, Wyze, and Eufy.

In other words, if Apple wants its video doorbell to succeed, it needs to offer something special; offering Face ID is one way to do so, but I'm not sure if that will be enough. Given that there are a number of doorbells that offer a pretty impressive array of features at a fairly reasonable price, the price would also need to be competitive.

Of course, this all depends on whether Apple releases a doorbell. Garman points out that Apple is very protective of its brand and does not like to be associated with a bad reputation. He states that during the development of the now-canceled Apple Car, executives were “afraid” of being associated with a car accident. Mix smart locks with the potential for home invasions, and it is easy to see why some top executives would be hesitant to make this idea a reality.

Garman notes that the potential damage would be mitigated if Apple would simply license Face ID technology to other smart doorbell manufacturers. It would mean that Apple would be ceding potential profits to someone else, but the negative implications of something going wrong would likely be split.

In any case, it is certainly too early to say what will happen.