In early June, the producers have released the first products that support HomeKit platform. Today, there are a number of “smart” sockets, drives, opening the door to the garage, cartridges for conventional light bulbs, locks and power strips from companies such as iDevices, iHome, GridConnect, Chamberlain, Schlage and Incipio. Elgato has announced a wide range of HomeKit sensors, while the company Insteon submitted a full-fledged hub, providing compatibility between HomeKit-enabled devices and its very extensive range of smart accessories for smart house.
For all the new gadgets on the platform HomeKit characteristic one small, but very significant feature: the ability to remotely control these devices by using voice assistant Siri will only be available to Apple TV owners. In the latest document on the Apple website clearly indicates that the set-top box will be a hub for “smart” devices. So, voice commands like “Siri, turn the hall light on” will be performed quickly and reliably when connected to home Wi-Fi network, but to do the same while away from home, at work or at the airport – you will need an Apple TV.
“If you have an Apple TV (third generation or later) operating system 7.0 and above, you can operate the accessories that support HomeKit with your iOS devices while away from home. Enter your Apple ID on your iOS device and Apple TV, and you can give commands to Siri on remote control accessories”, – stated on the Apple website.
The HomeKit platform is only supported by the third generation or newer Apple TV running iOS 7.0 and later.
Apple has never positioned its set-top box Apple TV as the center of home automation. That company gives the gadget a certain role in the organization of the “smart home” has become known in October 2014 with the introduction of HomeKit support in one and updates the firmware of the device.
Despite the fact that buying an Apple TV is not required to create a smart home platform HomeKit, a set-top box owners can count on more remote voice control via Siri.
