How Apple Can Make Your Home Smarter

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

We will tell you what HomeKit is and how it works, what smart devices you can buy right now, what the new Home app can do in iOS 10 and why you need it.

What is it about

Smart bulbs, thermostats, door locks - all of this has been around for a long time. Each device has its own application with which it can be controlled. Apple's job is to make it all work together in a way that is as simple and safe as possible for the user.

For this, the HomeKit platform was created. With its help, you can connect, combine and control all smart appliances in the house, having an iOS device or Apple TV at hand. HomeKit was presented at WWDC-2014, the number of accessories has grown in two years, and Apple has finished the technology. I'll tell you how it all works and whether you can independently assemble a smart home from Apple.

HomeKit: what it is

You bought several smart bulbs, everything works great, they can be controlled using the iOS app. "And why do I need this HomeKit?" - you ask.

What if you have not only light bulbs, but also blinds and a thermostat, for example? Without HomeKit, this will be just a set of pieces of hardware that cannot be controlled using a single interface. They will not be able to interact with each other, which means that they will not be able to be configured for a certain scenario of work. For example, every day at 9 o'clock in the evening, the lights should be turned on, and the blinds should be closed. Instead, you have to go into the application of each device and from there manually turn everything on and off. And okay, if there are a couple of such devices, but if there are six of them in each room? This is inconvenient to say the least. With HomeKit, all devices can easily communicate with each other.

It's great that Siri is involved in device management. The assistant can be asked to turn on the light in the garage or, by saying "Good morning", to start the execution of many actions tied to this phrase. The blinds will open, coffee begins to brew, and so on. At the same time, Siri does not send you to the coffee maker application, everything happens in the usual assistant interface. It is important that the protocol by which smart things are connected is automatically encrypted, which means that no one can get to your data and gain control over smart appliances in the house.

It already works

More than 50 brands have already released HomeKit-enabled gadgets. Now any manufacturer can make their device compatible with this platform. Apple must approve the device, after which it can be controlled using iOS devices and Apple TV.

At WWDC-2016, the company showed a more advanced smart home control system; in iOS 10, a new Home application appeared (more on that later). Now the capabilities of HomeKit have become closer to both users and developers, so more smart devices should be expected for the release of the new iOS.

Which Apple products work with HomeKit

HomeKit works with iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 8.1 or later. You can also control your smart home from your Apple Watch, starting with watchOS 2. With an Apple TV of the 3rd generation or newer, you can control all devices from a distance using Siri. You just need to sign in to iCloud with your Apple ID.

What smart devices can you buy right now?

HomeKit-enabled devices went on sale in June 2015. Their packaging should display such a badge.

Many devices are already available, a separate one is devoted to them. I have selected the most curious, in my opinion.

August doorbell cam

Smart call with built-in camera. Even when you are far from home, you will see who came to you, and the device will record the date and time.

Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt

A door lock, which, in addition to the key we are used to, can be opened using an iPhone or a code. In addition, the lock can be controlled using Siri, asking, for example, to lock the door every night.

Withings aura

An intelligent system that monitors and improves sleep quality. The device collects data about your sleep (phases, duration), and also analyzes the external environment: air temperature, noise level, illumination. Works like a smart alarm clock - wakes you up during REM sleep.

Philips Hue

With these bulbs, you can create your own intelligent lighting system by combining up to 50 bulbs. Accordingly, with the help of Siri, you can control the lighting throughout the house and in the garage, create scenarios, customize the color of the lamps, and so on.

Eve energy

Eve Energy itself is not a smart device, but turns an outlet into such a device. First, it allows you to save money by monitoring energy consumption and sending detailed statistics to your iPhone. Secondly, you can remotely stop the current consumption. That is, if you forgot to turn off the iron, you can do it even from a distance.

Why do you need the "Home" application

With the release of iOS 10, smart home control will become even easier and more convenient. At WWDC-2016, Apple has done what HomeKit fans have long been waiting for, by introducing the Home app. It is a hub that allows you to connect and control all the smart devices in your home.

In the application, you can control both one device and a group, set up scenarios and much more. For example, the scenario “I'm at home” opens the door, and “Good night” turns off the lights and closes the blinds. Moreover, it is not even necessary to launch the application or ask Siri: the script can be activated depending on your location: the door will open as soon as you approach it.

Branded applications are no longer needed, control is taken over by "Home" and Siri. HomeKit has evolved from an interesting but obscure platform to a system that anyone can use.

What's next

In my opinion, Apple is moving in the right direction. After the presentation of the company at WWDC-2016, there was an understanding of how Apple sees a smart home, and it is already clear that it is going to make the interaction of the user and devices as comfortable as possible. Now only the first beta of iOS 10 is available, so it is difficult to assess the capabilities of the Home app. However, there are only two months left to wait until the release: let's see what happens as a result.

In any case, already now everyone has everything to build their own smart home. And such a system will cost much less than analogs existing on the market.