After a year of waiting, it seems like the first Apple HomeKit compatible products are finally ready for launch.
HomeKit promises to let customers do neat things like tell Siri to start the washing, turn the lights on or open the pod bay doors, Hal.
Apple announced its HomeKit system back at WWDC 2014. Since then we’ve not heard much about the service, which promises to let you control multiple smart home appliances from your iOS device. So much so that IFTTT’s Do Button apps have hit the App Store and Google Play, effectively beating Apple as it’s own game. Related: Tado and Smappee throw their hats into the Apple HomeKit ring
But now, mere days away from WWDC 2015, Apple has updated its US site with deets of the smart new gadgets work and how your iPhone will interact with them.
Some of the HomeKit-ready devices which are now available include Ecobee’s Ecobee3 WiFi thermostat, Lutron’s wireless smart dimmer switches, and iHome’s smart plugs, which allow users to control anything plugged in, will be ready to roll by the end of the month, though you’ll be able to pre-order them from June 15.
Insteon have also rolled out a HomeKit-friendly smart hub which will connect up to your wireless network and allow you to control things like door locks, CCTV cameras, lights and temperature, giving you ultimate Siri-centric control over your home from the comfort of your seat – wherever that seat may be.
While home automation is nothing new, with generic devices doing the rounds for years already, Apple’s decision to sashay into the arena will likely herald a new era of popularity for the tech and being able to tell Siri what to do is likely to be as close as we ever get to having a butler or valet, so we’re pretty excited.
WWDC 2015 kicks off on June 8 at Moscone West in San Francisco, 10:00am local time (6:00pm UK time).
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