Apple expected to unveil new smart home platform at WWDC - report
At next week's Worldwide Developer Conference, Apple is apparently planning to make a big splash in the connected "smart home" market, introducing new ways for the iPhone, iPad and even Apple TV to control lights, security systems and other household appliances.
Apple's apparent plans were revealed on Monday by the Financial Times, which citied unnamed sources as saying that the iPhone maker will unveil its new initiative at next week's WWDC 2014 keynote.
One example given by the report include lights that automatically turn on when an iPhone carrying user enters the home. Third-party device makers will apparently be able to tie into the ecosystem in a manner similar to Apple's current "Made for iPhone" licensing.
Even the Apple TV is expected to play a role in Apple's smart home initiative, as the report said an upgraded model released later this year will also be able to connect to household appliances.
In next week's anticipated presentation, Apple is expected to focus on privacy in an effort to alleviate users' concerns about data collection and government surveillance. Such a move would be seen as a snub at Google, which has been scrutinized for its privacy policies and is also in the smart home business thanks to its $3.2 billion purchase of thermostat maker Nest earlier this year.
Apple has shown interest in smart homes over the years with various patent filings, many of which have shown the use of an iPhone as the centerpiece for connected appliances. In one filing, a new iPhone application is shown allowing users to build custom "scenes" that involve specific settings for devices like home lights, speakers, a television set and more.
There are a number of connected home devices already available on the market and compatible with the iPhone, most notably the Philips Hue smart LED bulbs which debuted exclusively at Apple's retail stores. The Hue allows users to create and save combinations of lighting in their home, thanks to the array of colors that can be displayed by the connected bulbs.
With devices like Hue and Nest already available, but controlled via separate dedicated applications, Apple's smart home efforts may serve as a way to unify these different products. By becoming certified as an Apple-sanctioned appliance, devices would be able to connect into Apple's ecosystem, and also will be able to display an authorized logo on the product packaging.
Such moves would allow Apple to establish a place in the growing connected home market without the need to build its own products and devices. Instead, those responsibilities could be handed off to third-party companies, much like has been done with speakers and docks in with Made for iPhone and Made for iPod licensing.
Apple's apparent plans were revealed on Monday by the Financial Times, which citied unnamed sources as saying that the iPhone maker will unveil its new initiative at next week's WWDC 2014 keynote.
One example given by the report include lights that automatically turn on when an iPhone carrying user enters the home. Third-party device makers will apparently be able to tie into the ecosystem in a manner similar to Apple's current "Made for iPhone" licensing.
Even the Apple TV is expected to play a role in Apple's smart home initiative, as the report said an upgraded model released later this year will also be able to connect to household appliances.
In next week's anticipated presentation, Apple is expected to focus on privacy in an effort to alleviate users' concerns about data collection and government surveillance. Such a move would be seen as a snub at Google, which has been scrutinized for its privacy policies and is also in the smart home business thanks to its $3.2 billion purchase of thermostat maker Nest earlier this year.
Apple has shown interest in smart homes over the years with various patent filings, many of which have shown the use of an iPhone as the centerpiece for connected appliances. In one filing, a new iPhone application is shown allowing users to build custom "scenes" that involve specific settings for devices like home lights, speakers, a television set and more.
There are a number of connected home devices already available on the market and compatible with the iPhone, most notably the Philips Hue smart LED bulbs which debuted exclusively at Apple's retail stores. The Hue allows users to create and save combinations of lighting in their home, thanks to the array of colors that can be displayed by the connected bulbs.
With devices like Hue and Nest already available, but controlled via separate dedicated applications, Apple's smart home efforts may serve as a way to unify these different products. By becoming certified as an Apple-sanctioned appliance, devices would be able to connect into Apple's ecosystem, and also will be able to display an authorized logo on the product packaging.
Such moves would allow Apple to establish a place in the growing connected home market without the need to build its own products and devices. Instead, those responsibilities could be handed off to third-party companies, much like has been done with speakers and docks in with Made for iPhone and Made for iPod licensing.
Comments
Sounds interesting. If Apple does go down this route, I hope they really invest in it and really push it. Not have it be something like Passbook or the MFI game controllers that haven't really taken off.
you can't really blame apple for third-party API initiatives.
that being said -- there are a half-dozen different game controllers? and every major airline and venue ticketing system uses Passbook? not sure why thats a failure in your eyes...i use Passbook every time i travel and it's great.
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/homeos/
Well if anyone can do it right, it is Apple.
Yes and ... if any company can shit all over it with "Buy Viagra without prescription" ADs right under our a$$ .... was / is / will forever be ... GOOGLE!
iOS in the car
iOS in the home.
iOS in your brain.
Important is that they gather enough partners (something which Apple needs to become better at).
Sounds interesting. If Apple does go down this route, I hope they really invest in it and really push it. Not have it be something like Passbook or the MFI game controllers that haven't really taken off.
MFI game controllers won't be that popular until the 2nd gen ones come out, being cheaper and better and most importantly, fit the next iPhone.
Once the new iPhone comes out and AppleTV gets an App store, that's when they'll become popular.
Microsoft research has been studying a home platform via HomeOS for over five years, yet they've released no product whatsoever.
And there's the difference. Apple wouldn't openly study something that long and not either do it or drop it in 5 years. Microsoft are just clutching at straws to try and find the next big thing to get them on top.
Maybe it's not a failure but I don't think either of them are as successful as they could be. I hope Apple shows something off that will be the "ah, this is why they didn't go after. Nest".
If you even use it once, it's successful. Every event that I attend that takes advantage of Passbook I utilize. So much easier than having to deal with paper tickets or looking for the email with the PDF ticket, or even looking for the PDF for that matter. Maybe you do not think it's successful because you do not personally use the product?
I kind of hope this isn't what they'll be announcing. This sounds like "Nest" meets iOS and Nest is pretty boring. But it is Apple, whatever they do, it'll be done with grace and beauty.
Nest is insanely limited compare to other home automation solutions on the market- home automation potential is anywhere but "boring".
If this happens, it would be absolutely stunning, since there really hasn't been any solid rumors about it at all. Proves that Apple will continue charting its own path instead of doing what everyone predicts (TV/smartwatch). Home automation is extremely exciting, its a nascent market with a million players in it, but still a complete mess with no standards. Apple could make a massive splash and pretty much dominate it if they really do it right. They already have many pieces of the puzzle to make it a seamless, intuitive experience. I'm thinking they will start simple initially (lights, etc) then branch out to more complexity once consumers get used to the idea.
This is also a sensitive area where Apple has a major PR advantage, given the privacy stigma of Google. Many would not be comfortable buying home automation hardware that tracks your every move from an advertising company.
Perhaps this is a bit pie-in-the-sky, but until someone finds a way to get us wifi via power lines, this is a 'pipe' dream.