Apple expected to unveil new smart home platform at WWDC - report

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  • Reply 41 of 150

    And what could this home-centric hub be called ?  Could this be the already famous "iWatch" ? iWatch my home, iWatch my health, etc.  Maybe this wrist-worn thing was just a decoy for "others" to copy.... This would be a historic chess move. :)

  • Reply 42 of 150
    anantksundaramanantksundaram Posts: 20,403member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by formosa View Post

     

    AppleTV would make perfect sense to be the center of a connected home for security (IP cameras, remote locks) and convenience (wirelessly controlled power outlets, switches and other devices).

     

    I hope that Apple will adopt the current wireless protocols already established in the marketplace, such as ZigBee or Z-Wave (which are supported by heavyweights GE, Honeywell, Leviton). Then Apple can add their layer of polished applications software on top of these protocols, and an AppleTV would be perfect to tie these devices all together.

     

    This may disrupt the current home security industry with their IP cameras and separate recording devices, or the emerging home automation market.

     

    And it would all tie into the iPhone and iPad.


    1) AppleTV's user interface is already cluttered, clunky, and inefficient. The remote is an embarrassment. Unless both get a serious re-think (let's hope that happens soon!), it's pointless to add more functionality.

     

    2) Apple's history with networked product and service offerings -- iTools, iDisk, dotmac, iCloud, Mail, iChat, Ping, MobileMe, to name the ones that come to mind offhand (there are many many more) -- has been less-than-stellar. Lots of initial promise that went nowhere, and got withdrawn or revamped (which, in turn, went nowhere).

     

    3) The tie-in with iPhone/iPad will probably need Siri to get to the next stage, off beta. In my view, even the current iPhone/iPad remote for AppleTV is mediocre. Moreover, it does not work if I use a wired connection for my AppleTV.

  • Reply 43 of 150
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Taniwha View Post

     

    Chasing Google again then, gotta catch up /s


     

    C'mon. That's the cognitive dissonance that allows Andy Rubin to sleep at night.

  • Reply 44 of 150
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Apple ][ View Post

     

    This makes perfect sense.

     

    Apple users are 86.7% more likely to consider home automation than Android users. Yeah, I just pulled that figure out of my ass, but I'm pretty sure that the figure is not that far away from reality.

     

    Home automation is probably not something that is cheap, and Apple households are far more likely to opt for such solutions than Android households. I saw that HP just released a brand new Android tablet that is priced at $100, and is on sale for $80 already. Anybody buying such devices are most likely not the kind of people that are thinking about any home automation. The amount of sub $100 tablets available is just disgusting. It's the opposite of environmentally friendly, they're just cheap junk, they're pollution, soon to end up in a landfill somewhere. The last thing on those people's mind is any home automation.

     

    When home automation takes off, it'll be Apple leading the way, as usual.


    No they'll just be playing catch-up ;-)

  • Reply 45 of 150
    asdasdasdasd Posts: 5,686member
    I am skeptical that anything can happen soon. A connected home is still many years away. The current setup for wifi (via cable or phone) is suboptimal for this type of thing.

    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.

    I have a 100mb fibre connection. No need for power lines.
  • Reply 46 of 150
    anantksundaramanantksundaram Posts: 20,403member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Apple ][ View Post

     

    You have to start somewhere. Fully connected is still far away I suppose, but partially connected is a good place to start.


    Can't disagree with that. But I am tempering my enthusiasm, that's all.

  • Reply 47 of 150
    applesauce007applesauce007 Posts: 1,698member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Lord Amhran View Post



    Interesting but wouldn't the home need to be hard-wired for Apple to be able to enable this?

    No, it can use WiFi with smart devices.  The devices will need to adhere to Apple's protocol.

    (i.e. WiFi enabled lights, alarms, thermostats, smoke detectors, TVs, refrigerators, stoves, Microwaves, printers, speakers etc... )

  • Reply 48 of 150
    suddenly newtonsuddenly newton Posts: 13,819member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by formosa View Post

     

    AppleTV would make perfect sense to be the center of a connected home for security (IP cameras, remote locks) and convenience (wirelessly controlled power outlets, switches and other devices).

     

    And it would all tie into the iPhone and iPad.


     

    I think AirPort Extreme + iPhone would make more sense. Because home automation, security videos, etc. should be accessible even if you're not at home in front of your TV.

  • Reply 49 of 150
    suddenly newtonsuddenly newton Posts: 13,819member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Lord Amhran View Post

     

    No they'll just be playing catch-up ;-)


     

    So that's what punchcards were for <img class=" src="http://forums-files.appleinsider.com/images/smilies//lol.gif" />.

  • Reply 50 of 150
    anantksundaramanantksundaram Posts: 20,403member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by asdasd View Post



    I have a 100mb fibre connection. No need for power lines.

    The speed of the connection is perhaps the least of it. It's about how you get all the devices that need to communicate with each other connected in the first place. Especially since a vast majority of it will have to be retro-fitted.

  • Reply 51 of 150
    2oh12oh1 Posts: 503member

    I look forward to seeing how this plays out.  I own Philips Hue bulbs and I can't say enough good things about them.  I have my lights set up to automatically turn on if I come home after sunset.  The bulbs use a geofence, so they turn on a few minutes before I get to my front door.  I've also programmed some light settings into keyboard hotkeys on my Mac and into my universal remote.  It's such a marvelous system.  The Hue iPhone and iPad apps are neat, but I haven't used the apps since setting up my hotkeys and universal remote buttons.

  • Reply 52 of 150
    formosaformosa Posts: 261member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by anantksundaram View Post

     

    1) AppleTV's user interface is already cluttered, clunky, and inefficient. The remote is an embarrassment. Unless both get a serious re-think (let's hope that happens soon!), it's pointless to add more functionality.

     

    2) Apple's history with networked product and service offerings -- iTools, iDisk, dotmac, iCloud, Mail, iChat, Ping, MobileMe, to name the ones that come to mind offhand (there are many many more) -- has been less-than-stellar. Lots of initial promise that went nowhere, and got withdrawn or revamped (which, in turn, went nowhere).

     

    3) The tie-in with iPhone/iPad will probably need Siri to get to the next stage, off beta. In my view, even the current iPhone/iPad remote for AppleTV is mediocre. Moreover, it does not work if I use a wired connection for my AppleTV.




    1) True, I was implicitly referring to the next-gen or "non-hobby" AppleTV, which, I hope, takes it to another level of UI functionality and hardware capability.

     

    2) I was referring to Apple using the existing hardware devices (where relevant) and protocols in the case of home automation and not re-inventing it. The entry cost barrier is already high for this market; don't make it higher. My hope is that Apple can simplify setting up a connected home as simply as setting up WiFi. Look at Mi Casa Verde's UI - not the most intuitive (along with its $30 iPhone app!). Apple (software engineers) can do better.

     

    3) Agreed.

  • Reply 54 of 150
    solipsismxsolipsismx Posts: 19,566member
    Interesting but wouldn't the home need to be hard-wired for Apple to be able to enable this?

    What's wrong with wireless?

    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.

    I think the Nest thermostat has grace and beauty.

    One word: iBeacons

    One word: Explain.
  • Reply 55 of 150
    isteelersisteelers Posts: 738member
    So that's why they are buying Beats. It all makes sense now...
  • Reply 56 of 150
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Ireland View Post

     

    I'm hanging for an iBeer right now.


     

    It's called "hard cider".  

  • Reply 57 of 150
    lord amhranlord amhran Posts: 902member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by SolipsismX View Post





    What's wrong with wireless?

    What I mean is that wouldn't the house itself need to be wired to accept input from iOS devices?

     

    For example, wouldn't I need to hook some dongle or have a hard-wire to my lights, television, oven etc to enable my iDevices to turn them on wirelessly when I enter the room?

  • Reply 58 of 150
    mstonemstone Posts: 11,510member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by anantksundaram View Post

     
    The speed of the connection is perhaps the least of it. It's about how you get all the devices that need to communicate with each other connected in the first place. Especially since a vast majority of it will have to be retro-fitted.


    The way I see it evolving is that any device which needs AC power and typically has a power cord plugged into an outlet can have an onboard WiFi interface. That would give it a lot of control and feedback possibilities. As far as retrofitting a legacy device that only needed AC on/off functionality, a third party adapter could be a solution. It would plug into a typical wall outlet and provide WiFi control of the power similar to the current mechanical lamp timers that I use when on vacation.

     

    I can also imagine a home server that would interact with all these new smart devices so that appliances can be controlled in various scenarios sort of like automatic irrigation systems or thermostats work now, except you would be able to log into your server with an iOS app to make changes from anywhere in the world using a protocol similar to back to my Mac.

     

    As far as automation that requires AC power, but is not near a wall outlet or doesn't normally have a power cord such as the new smart deadbolt on your front door, that would probably require some hard wiring by a contractor. The cost of each individual WiFi or BT connected device will obviously be more expensive than the traditional dumb device, but they can be added to the smart home one at a time as the owner decides.

     

    Personally, I am planning to build a new custom home stating next year so I'm going to give this a lot of thought. I was already planning to install a lot of extra power outlets, ethernet, TV, in every room. I'll be putting in a lot of custom plumbing and electrical systems and this new Apple home automation fits right in with my plans. I'm excited to see what they offer.

  • Reply 59 of 150
    dachardachar Posts: 330member
    I have recently had an automated home heating and hot water control system installed. One of its selling points is that apart from much greater control of the central heating and hot water was that the the heating can be turned off when the last person leaves the house and turned on again when the first person returns provided they all have location software running on each smartphone. I can see now this idea could be used for other home automated functions such as lights, doors or security systems. Connecting them all so as you arrive home the alarm deactivates, the door unlocks and the lights go on in the hallway sounds like a good idea. However, the biggest issue is security breaches of the software. If someone could hack into my heating software, then they can tell from it if the house is empty and how far away we are. If I set the holiday setting meaning away for sometime that could be really valuable information to the wrong type of people. So if Apple is to move into home automation and control market I for one will now be thinking more about how secure it will be. All your eggs in one basket may not be such a good idea after all.
  • Reply 60 of 150
    island hermitisland hermit Posts: 6,217member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by mstone View Post

     

    The way I see it evolving is that any device which needs AC power and typically has a power cord plugged into an outlet can have an onboard WiFi interface. That would give it a lot of control and feedback possibilities. As far as retrofitting a legacy device that only needed AC on/off functionality, a third party adapter could be a solution. It would plug into a typical wall outlet and provide WiFi control of the power similar to the current mechanical lamp timers that I use when on vacation.

     

    I can also imagine a home server that would interact with all these new smart devices so that appliances can be controlled in various scenarios sort of like automatic irrigation systems work now, except you would be able to log into your server with an iOS app to make changes from anywhere in the world using a protocol similar to back to my Mac.

     

    As far as automation that requires AC power, but is not near a wall outlet or doesn't normally have a power cord such as the new smart deadbolt on your front door, that would probably require a some hard wiring by a contractor. The cost of each individual WiFi or BT connected device will obviously be more expensive than the traditional dumb device, but they can be added to the smart home one at a time as the owner decides.

     

    Personally, I am planning to build a new custom home stating next year so I'm going to give this a lot of thought. I was already planning to install a lot of extra power outlets, ethernet, TV, in every room. I'm be putting in a lot of custom plumbing and electrical systems and this new Apple home automation fits right in with my plans. I'm excited to see what they offer.


     

    I would imagine that home building will be quite different within the next 50-60 years. The home and driveway will be clad in solar cells, connectivity will be easy and abundant, exterior and interior. Within 100 years the smart home will be quite complete... but most people today might not call the results aesthetically pleasing... even though the design will be clean and efficient. 

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