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HomeKit support doc shows setup, confirms Apple TV will serve as remote hub
Last month rumors surfaced that Apple TV may serve as a hub for users of HomeKit-enabled accessories to centralize control of their smart home devices.
An updated Apple support document for HomeKit, discovered yesterday by 9to5Mac, now confirms that Apple TV will let users control connected HomeKit devices via iPhone or iPad while they are away from home.
The updated document contains the following information:
If you have an Apple TV (3rd generation or later) with software version 7.0 or later, you can control your HomeKit-enabled accessories when you’re away from home using your iOS device.
Sign in with the same Apple ID on your iOS device and Apple TV, and you’ll be able to use Siri commands to remotely control your accessories.
The language – “3rd generation or later” – also seems to confirm that Apple will introduce new Apple TV hardware at its Worldwide Developers Conference next week; something that has been widely rumored as well.
In addition to the updated support document, Apple has also created a dedicated page to help customers find smart home accessories that work with HomeKit. A number of HomeKit partners announced earlier this week that their HomeKit-enabled accessories are now available.
According to the HomeKit support document, users require an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch running iOS 8.1 or later to control HomeKit-enabled accessories.
While each HomeKit accessory comes with its own app to control devices, entering a seven-digit HomeKit code specific to the device will allow users to control connected devices using voice commands via Siri.
One notable limitation seems to be that, while most devices can be controlled by Siri, users won’t be able to unlock doors using voice commands.
It also appears that most of the initial setup is done in each device’s companion iOS app and, once configured, Siri recognizes preferences.
For families, or others living together, one user will be the administrator and ‘shared users’ can be given access and permissions on their individual iOS devices.
Apple is also rumored to be working on a ‘Home’ app, set to debut with iOS 9 later this year, to allow users to control HomeKit devices – with Apple TV acting as a hub – from one central interface.
Screenshot: SiliconANGLE via apple.com
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