In June 2014, Apple announced HomeKit, alongside several other new APIs for developers, allowing all home automation accessories/devices to work in harmony with iOS. The API enables home automation developers to centralize all home automation without the necessity for separate apps to access the precise features of every device. Locks, lights, cameras, doors, thermostats, plugs, switches, and other devices fall under this category.
Apple wants to make it easier for iPhone users to manage their home automation devices, so it has set its sights on the home automation market with the launch of iOS 8, introducing the HomeKit framework. In a nutshell, a home kit is a framework for communicating with and controlling smart devices in a user’s home. Apps built on the iOS 8 HomeKit frameworks can assist users in discovering and mapping devices in their homes, also as configuring them for mobile control. Users also can set actions and use Siri, Apple’s well-known intelligent personal assistant, to perform them.
Homekit: make users control everything on their devices
HomeKit is a home automation system that lets users use their iPhone or iPad to control their home and all of its smart devices wirelessly and electronically. As a result, users will be able to control all household features and appliances, including heating, lighting, and security, from their phones or tablets. HomeKit eliminates the need for multiple apps to control each smart device in your home.
Features of Homekit: that attracted you more
- Lighting: The light bulb is by far the most basic, obvious, and most popular smart home device. Smart lights are not new, and they were perhaps the first consumer devices to incorporate “smarts” for convenience. Some bulbs can connect to the network directly via WiFi, while others communicate with the internet via a bridge device known as a hub. HomeKit supports changing color, color temperature, brightness, and power state. Once the light is added, a user can control it with the Home App or basic voice commands.
- Comfort: When asked how to control a home’s comfort, thermostats are likely the first thing that comes to mind. Fans, air disinfectants, window air conditioning units, ceiling fans, and even blinds that are HomeKit compatible are also available. You can control everything in your home with voice commands and routines if you set up your home with rooms and zones which makes you more relaxing and give comfort.
- Security: For everyone, the security of the house is the first and the last priority. This category includes a wide range of accessories capable of performing a variety of functions, but all of which are related to the safety and security of your home. Locks, door and window sensors, cameras, alarms, and motion detectors are among the HomeKit security devices. Security devices are mostly used to detect and alert, but some also provide some user control. Motion detectors can also be used to trigger automation, such as turning on a light or sounding an alarm if no one is home. The obvious choice here is door locks; which give you more control over your home security and makes you more powerful.
- Networking: Apple’s introduction of HomeKit routers is another step in the company’s fight against the lack of security in Internet-of-Things devices. Devices will be observed at the network level and can even be firewalled off the internet entirely while maintaining local network control. Whole-home wifi networks are becoming more common. Bridges add a networking component to HomeKit if only to simplify device management and bring legacy devices into the fold. With a bridge, you can route multiple devices on their own private channel, such as Hue bulbs, through a bridge, which reduces network congestion because the router only sees one bridge connection rather than 20 light bulbs.
- Switches and outlets: Switches are as straightforward as they come, providing power state control to items that would otherwise require a trip across the room. That’s all there is to it. The limit is set on by your imagination and whether or not the device you’re powering features a master switch for maintenance. A master switch is a switch that can be set to “on” so that when power is turned off and on from the smart outlet, the device turns back on. Digital buttons, such as those found on Dyson fans, will not turn the fan back on once power is restored, so keep this in mind before purchasing a smart outlet.
- Entertainment: The most recent entertainment technology provides a wide range of features and control to make your life easier. Added entertainment aptitude is now consigned with HomeKit and AirPlay. Connect your speaker, TV, or audio receiver to your smart home to enhance your mechanization and impress your guests. These devices include controls for power, play, and audio sharing via airplay. The most evident device presently is HomePod, Apple’s own smart speaker controlled by Siri. HomeKit is now built into the latest TVs, speakers, and receivers from companies like Sony and LG.
Final Thoughts
Technology is developing rapidly and playing a really important role in everyone’s life. In the technological world, Apple has some role to play because with the new additions, features they have upgraded in their devices to make their users more comfortable and for their better experiences. Like with the ios Homekit features Apple has made everyone’s life so easy and relaxing. At Alkye, we help our clients with their new strategies for their business, so that they are able to target their audience more effectively and efficiently.
Words by
Nicola Bond
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