New Delhi, Oct. 17 -- Apple Inc. is ramping up its manufacturing operations in Vietnam as part of a broader strategy to enter the smart home market and reduce reliance on China. The company is working on several new devices, including indoor security cameras, a smart display for controlling household appliances, and a tabletop robot featuring a motorised arm. These products are expected to be built in Vietnam with assembly support from Chinese firm BYD Co.

The smart display, often referred to as the home hub, will act as a central command unit for home appliances and services. Two versions are planned: a tabletop model mounted on a speaker base and a wall-mounted variant. Both models will feature a FaceTime camera and a dynamic software ...