At CES 2015, Apple became one of the stars in the giant trade show, with the announcement of several devices compatible with HomeKit. From Switch, Shlage Sense and MyQ Garage, Apple has maintained its track record of dominating the show.
While iOS-controllable switches are nothing new, the Switch – through HomeKit – provides the first way to use Siri to control home devices with voice commands.
Sure, you can use Siri and IFTTT to mash up voice controls, but the Switch takes IFTTT out of the equation. Unlike other devices that require a home hub, iDevices created a custom cloud for Switch so a costly hub is not needed.
Meanwhile, the 95-year-old lock-making company Schlage has an updated smart lock system called Schlage Sense. The lock allows you to enter your home by speaking to your iPhone. If your iPhone dies, you can always use the touch key pad or a good old-fashioned key.
Lastly, Chamberlain announced that its Wi-Fi garage door control system, MyQ Garage, would be compatible with HomeKit as well.
If you are worried that you left the door open when you left the house, then just Siri nicely and she just might help you out.
Apple's HomeKit will enable iOS users to control a variety of smart things from multiple makers, such as door entry and alarm systems, thermostats or lights.
"HomeKit introduces a new way for you to control supported devices in your home using Siri. That means you could use your voice to turn on lights or adjust the thermostat," Apple states.
Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, put it this way at WWDC: "In addition to being able to control individual devices in your home, with HomeKit you can group devices and changes into scenes, and then with Siri integration you can say something like ‘get ready for bed’ and be sure that your garage door is closed, your door is locked, the thermostat is lowered, your lights are dimmed. That’s HomeKit."
While iOS-controllable switches are nothing new, the Switch – through HomeKit – provides the first way to use Siri to control home devices with voice commands.
Sure, you can use Siri and IFTTT to mash up voice controls, but the Switch takes IFTTT out of the equation. Unlike other devices that require a home hub, iDevices created a custom cloud for Switch so a costly hub is not needed.
Meanwhile, the 95-year-old lock-making company Schlage has an updated smart lock system called Schlage Sense. The lock allows you to enter your home by speaking to your iPhone. If your iPhone dies, you can always use the touch key pad or a good old-fashioned key.
Lastly, Chamberlain announced that its Wi-Fi garage door control system, MyQ Garage, would be compatible with HomeKit as well.
If you are worried that you left the door open when you left the house, then just Siri nicely and she just might help you out.
Apple's HomeKit will enable iOS users to control a variety of smart things from multiple makers, such as door entry and alarm systems, thermostats or lights.
"HomeKit introduces a new way for you to control supported devices in your home using Siri. That means you could use your voice to turn on lights or adjust the thermostat," Apple states.
Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, put it this way at WWDC: "In addition to being able to control individual devices in your home, with HomeKit you can group devices and changes into scenes, and then with Siri integration you can say something like ‘get ready for bed’ and be sure that your garage door is closed, your door is locked, the thermostat is lowered, your lights are dimmed. That’s HomeKit."
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