Not only did Apple announce the easier integration of all your devices at its Worldwide Developer’s Conference on Monday, but the Cupertino company also revealed plans to integrate those devices with your own home.
And yes, by that we mean your physical house or apartment. With the launch of HomeKit, a new software designed to work with “smart home” products, Apple’s looking to move in.
The tech giant won’t be the one making devices to control your home, but rather supplying the support and framework for other vendors to create these products more easily.
The concept isn’t new; there have been apps on your smartphone that lock your front door and adjust your thermostat for some time. But these were all in individual apps, with different ways of handling security and privacy issues. Apple’s HomeKit aims to step in and house all these features in one spot.
To turn this into a reality, Apple will introduce a new network to cover these connected home services, working with individual companies like Philips and Honeywell. This means that soon, your iPhone could very well be able to turn off the lights, lock your doors, change the temperature and even pull and store video content from any security cameras you may have in and around your home. What’s more, this will all be done with the guarantee that your house is paired with only your devices, so that no intruders can hack their way in.
All these services can be controlled individually or grouped together in what Apple calls “scenes.” The program will also be integrated with Siri, so users can tell the voice technology to “lock up for the night” as well as dim lights, lock doors and turn down the thermostat to a predetermined setting, all from the comfort of their beds.
Putting home management into the palm of your hand could drastically change the dynamic of your day by giving people peace of mind while gone. Forget asking yourself did I lock the door? or did I leave the oven on?; With HomeKit, the questions plaguing you while you’re away can be answered over your devices.
Image via Tuaw
