If you can open your smartphone by showing your face, why not open the door? Apple is working on a doorbell that automatically swings open the gates to your palace when it recognizes you.

 
Never forget your key again: The doorbell that Apple is working on, according to Mark Gurman’s (Bloomberg) Power On newsletter, would automatically unlock your front door if it recognizes you or one of your housemates. The technology uses the same facial recognition technology that unlocks an iPhone because it’s Apple; the biometric information is stored and processed in the hardware via the Secure Enclave chip.

 
According to Gurman, the doorbell will likely be compatible with third-party hardware like HomeKit smart locks, and the company is considering partnering with another smart lock company to offer a complete door system at launch. The camera is also expected to use Apple’s Proxima Wi-Fi/Bluetooth combo chip, which is also in the new HomePod Mini and Apple TV devices next year.

 
Smart home
The new doorbell is part of Apple’s latest push into the smart home market. Rumours have been swirling that the company is developing more services and devices that rely on Apple Intelligence. These include a new smart home camera, an Apple-branded TV and new smart home displays, including a simple iPad-like device that can be magnetically attached to walls and another that can be attached to objects with a robotic arm.