Apple Reportedly Expanding Second-Party Smart Home Accessory Strategy With New Schneider Electric Partnership

9to5Mac•Published: Oct 8, 2026 02:23 AM IST

Apple is reportedly expanding its smart home strategy by co-developing 'second-party' accessories with third-party manufacturers like LG and Schneider Electric. Code found in iOS 17.2 reveals that these devices will receive special OS-level integration, marking a shift toward deeper hardware collaboration.

Schneider Partnership: Evidence points to a Schneider-branded smart thermostat and a temperature/humidity sensor being developed as second-party products.
OS Integration: These accessories are designated to receive special treatment within the Apple Home ecosystem, suggesting tighter software-hardware synergy.
Strategic Expansion: The initiative complements Apple's rumored upcoming first-party hardware releases, including a new Apple TV 4K and updated HomePod models.

The Context & Background

This move follows recent leaks indicating Apple is aggressively growing its smart home footprint. By co-branding and co-developing products with established industry players, Apple aims to ensure a more seamless and reliable experience for users within the HomeKit database.

Why it matters:This strategy signals Apple's intent to move beyond simple software compatibility by exerting more control over the hardware quality of third-party smart home devices. By ensuring 'second-party' products receive special OS treatment, Apple is positioning itself to compete more effectively against integrated ecosystems from Amazon and Google.

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