Apple's Home App (Photo : Facebook)
Apple announced its new Home app on June 13, Monday at this year's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Some real estate developers have already agreed to construct pre-built smart homes later this year that include the Apple HomeKit software infrastructure used to make Internet of Things (IoT) devices iOS-compatible, such as for iPhones and Siri. The Home app that will be launched with iOS 10 will function as a remote control and hub to manage all IoT gadgets from one place instead of opening an app for each smart device.
In the past that was one of the biggest complaints about HomeKit. Even though Apple's digital assistant Siri was included on some individual apps, the experience was less smooth than using Amazon's smart speaker Echo.
HomeKit users now have an app to control all IoT devices from one spot. Since homebuilders are on board to install pre-built smart homes, the industry could start moving towards mainstream use.
However, a world with fully HomeKit-friendly houses could also create some issues. They include one spouse using an iPhone and the other one using an Android device.
Adrian Foley is COO of Brookfield Residential California. He explained that the company will install IoT devices that are iOS and Android compatible, according to Mashable. This would require an Android user to access many apps to control each smart device instead of only Apple's Home app.
Another issue is that the smart home industry is still very young. However, the rising sales of smart security cameras and speakers does not mean that customers are ready to buy an "Apple House."
Foley explained that people will not fully enjoy the benefits of smart homes until they daily use IoT devices in their abodes. Not all homeowners believe owning a smart home is very important. However, that could change when the technology later sends alerts about leaky pipes, bad air quality, or strangers in their yards.
In related news, IoT devices could be the next target of the United States National Security Agency (NSA) for spying and gathering data. Its deputy director said at a conference the agency might use connected devices including smart appliances, according to BetaNews. The event was on June 10, Friday.
