NEWS
NEWS
NEWS
Apple to include ‘Home’ app in iOS 9, control HomeKit devices connected via Apple TV hub
Apple appears to be developing an app to allow iOS users to manage HomeKit-enabled smart home devices. The new iOS app – simply called ‘Home’ – is said to be included in iOS 9 and may be revealed at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) scheduled to take place in June, reports 9to5Mac.
Unveiled at last year’s Worldwide Developers Conference, HomeKit aims to connect smart home devices to a user’s iPhone or iPad, allowing them to control HomeKit-enabled accessories like thermostats, door locks, garage doors and power outlets using Apple’s digital assistant, Siri.
Apart from using Siri to control HomeKit-enabled devices, Apple has revealed very little about how users will interact with connected devices in their home. A ‘Home’ app for HomeKit is perhaps not a big surprise as it could serve the same purpose as Apple’s Health app for HealthKit by providing a focused dashboard view of connected devices around the home.
Apple TV a hub for HomeKit devices organized into virtual rooms
According to 9to5Mac’s source, the ‘Home’ app is still “fairly basic” and right now it includes functionality to wirelessly discover and configure HomeKit-enabled devices, organizing connected HomeKit devices into virtual rooms in the home, using Apple TV as a hub connecting HomeKit-enabled devices as well as various screens to help users find new HomeKit devices and apps.
The ‘Home’ app for HomeKit may never be released
The sources cautioned that Apple’s ‘Home’ app may not be shown at WWDC in June and it may never even be released to consumers.
Right now, the ‘Home’ app is only embedded in iOS 9 builds for Apple employees and considering its limited functionality, it may not be ready to show off to the audience at WWDC. They also caution the app may remain solely for internal use at Apple and that HomeKit users may have to use Siri and third-party App Store apps to manage connected devices.
Following a report earlier this week that HomeKit’s launch will be delayed until early fall, Apple quickly set the record straight and released a statement to confirm that the first HomeKit accessories will go on sale in June.
Given that statement by Apple, it is likely that we will see an announcement of some sort focused on HomeKit at WWDC in June – it may just be the ‘Home’ app.
Screenshot: SiliconANGLE via WWDC14 Keynote
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