Apple Inc.’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) smart television series, the Apple TV touted to be the center of virtual home utility management, may not prove to be as important, after all. The CES 2015 was a revelation of sorts, as far as ‘utility’ of the smartest television around is concerned.
HomeKit can work even without Apple TV
CES 2015 saw Apple Inc’s latest home-security product, the HomeKit, displayed with all the legendary passion that Apple Inc is so famous for! A spate of HomeKit-based smart products were on display, namely- door locks, light bulb adapters and garage door openers, developed leading brands GridConnect, iHome, iDevices and Schlage as well as Incipio. Another big name which stocked up on Homekit goodies was Elgato along with Insteon’s products. Interestingly, Homekit compatible products may well be the first considering the company prefers standalone smart home accessories.
Technically, independent of the developer, the home automation processes via HomeKit requires Apple TV as the nodal base, with Siri as the interface for remotely controlling home utilities such as switching off lights, and more.
However, for many it was uniquely interesting to note that end users could get away without an Apple TV as the dashboard for many of these are home automation services are functional on apps as well!
Therefore, Apple TV’s projected utility as the central control for home automation remains unhinged.
Thus far, Apple Inc. passion in bringing home automation to the finger tips has progressed linearly, with HomeKit release. As developers begin work on the Homekit platform the making of a successfully ecosystem on the lines of iTunes-like store for home automation too appears to be panning out well. The licensing of HomeKit devices should be the tipping point for successful absorption of virtual home automation for the digital natives!
