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NEWS
First Apple HomeKit accessories for smart homes on sale now
Hot on the heels of confirmation from Apple that the first HomeKit-enabled accessories would go on sale in June, a number of Apple HomeKit partners yesterday announced the availability of their HomeKit-enabled products. (via 9to5Mac)
HomeKit, Apple’s home automation platform the company first introduced at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in 2014, provides manufacturers of home automation accessories with a standardized framework through which devices can interact with each other and be controlled via Apple devices.
HomeKit-enabled accessories such as lights, thermostats, smart plugs, garage doors, sound systems, and more can be controlled from iOS devices using voice prompts via Siri.
Since Apple launched its Made-for-iPhone/iPad (MFi) licensing program in November HomeKit partners have been hard at work completing Apple’s certification program.
Insteon, Lutron, and Elgato make up the first companies to announce the availability of their HomeKit products.
Insteon Hub Pro
Insteon’s Hub is a HomeKit-enabled bridge with a companion app that lets user control not only connected Insteon products, but also third-party HomeKit connected devices such as lights, door locks, thermostats, LED bulbs, and more.
Right now, the HomeKit-enabled Insteon Hub is available through Amazon.com and Smarthome.com for $149.99 and will be available in retail stores in early July.
Lutron’s Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge and Wireless Lighting Starter Kit
Lutron’s HomeKit-enabled Smart Bridge lets homeowners control their Lutron Caséta Wireless dimmers using Siri on their iPhone or iPad via the Lutron app for iOS.
The Caséta Wireless Lighting Starter Kit, with HomeKit-enabled Smart Bridge, is available for $229.95 at Apple Stores and at online resellers, lighting showrooms, electrical distributors, and from local audio video professionals and electrical contractors.
Elgato Eve
Elgato offers a range of four HomeKit-enabled sensors that include Eve room – an indoor temperature, humidity and air quality sensor; Eve weather – an outside temperature, humidity and air pressure sensor; Eve door and window – to detect if doors and windows are open or closed; and Eve energy – to automatically switch electrical devices on or off and measure energy consumption.
Prices range from $39.95 to $79.95 and pre-sales are taking place on Amazon; although no delivery date is specified.
Apple is expected to make announcements related to HomeKit during the opening keynote at next week’s WWDC. The company is also set to announce the release of iOS 9, which is rumored to include a ‘Home’ app that will allow users to control HomeKit-enabled devices organized into virtual rooms via Siri.
Image credit: Insteon (HomeKit) product family courtesy Insteon
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