Apple-ADT Partnership Rumor Builds Ahead of Smart Home Event
Apple’s next smart-home push could bring professional security services into the same conversation as its connected devices.
Apple’s next smart-home push could bring professional security services into the same conversation as its connected devices. The company may announce a partnership with home-security provider ADT at its “Welcome home” event in New York on Tuesday, October 13, though neither company has confirmed a deal.
Several clues have fueled the speculation. ADT has been hiring low-voltage technicians in U.S. cities since around July, but new employees have reportedly received little information about their duties. Some have spent recent months shadowing existing technicians, while employees and managers involved in the roles have signed non-disclosure agreements.
Unusual hiring clues
The device ADT supplied to the new hires stands out: they received iPhones for work, while the company’s other technicians use Android phones. The hires have also reportedly been told they will learn more about their roles later this month, a timeline that could coincide with an Apple announcement.
That remains circumstantial evidence. ADT has not publicly described the jobs as part of an Apple collaboration, and Apple has not announced a partnership. The event’s “Welcome home” theme, however, points to a focus on household technology.
A broader home lineup
Reports say Apple is preparing a new display-equipped smart-home hub and an updated HomePod mini, alongside a new Apple TV 4K. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has described the Apple TV as part of a three-product lineup, but Apple has confirmed the event, not the products.
The Apple TV could matter beyond streaming. Compatible models already serve as home hubs, letting users manage smart accessories and automations remotely. A reported chip upgrade could also support Apple’s newer Siri features, though details such as the device’s design, connectivity and price remain unconfirmed.
Apple has invited media to a New York experience beginning at 9 a.m. Eastern Time on October 13. Whether ADT appears in the announcement remains an open question.
