Apple bringing Siri to third-party HomeKit accessories for the first time
Apple is bringing Siri to third-party devices and platforms for the first time, allowing HomeKit-supporting companies to integrate the assistant into their devices.
Credit: Apple
The Apple digital assistant will arrive on third-party devices later in 2021. With the support, HomeKit accessory makers will be able to integrate Siri into their own devices.
With third-party support, users will be able to access Siri and give voice commands to third-party products. Apple demoed this on stage by querying Siri on an Ecobee Smart Learning Thermostat.
Apple says Siri on third-party devices will support "Personal Requests, Intercom, timers, and alarms."
Hardware developers must be a part of Apple's MFi program for HomeKit accessories, and users will still need to have a HomePod or HomePod mini in their home. Unlike speakers from other manufacturers that fully bake in Amazon Alexa, these Siri-enabled devices will be merely relaying the query to a HomePod or HomePod mini in your home.
Follow all of WWDC 2021 with comprehensive AppleInsider coverage of the week-long event from June 7 through June 11, including details on iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, macOS Monterey and more.
Stay on top of all Apple news right from your HomePod. Say, "Hey, Siri, play AppleInsider," and you'll get the latest AppleInsider Podcast. Or ask your HomePod mini for "AppleInsider Daily" instead and you'll hear a fast update direct from our news team. And, if you're interested in Apple-centric home automation, say "Hey, Siri, play HomeKit Insider," and you'll be listening to our newest specialized podcast in moments.
Credit: Apple
The Apple digital assistant will arrive on third-party devices later in 2021. With the support, HomeKit accessory makers will be able to integrate Siri into their own devices.
With third-party support, users will be able to access Siri and give voice commands to third-party products. Apple demoed this on stage by querying Siri on an Ecobee Smart Learning Thermostat.
Apple says Siri on third-party devices will support "Personal Requests, Intercom, timers, and alarms."
Hardware developers must be a part of Apple's MFi program for HomeKit accessories, and users will still need to have a HomePod or HomePod mini in their home. Unlike speakers from other manufacturers that fully bake in Amazon Alexa, these Siri-enabled devices will be merely relaying the query to a HomePod or HomePod mini in your home.
Follow all of WWDC 2021 with comprehensive AppleInsider coverage of the week-long event from June 7 through June 11, including details on iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, macOS Monterey and more.
Stay on top of all Apple news right from your HomePod. Say, "Hey, Siri, play AppleInsider," and you'll get the latest AppleInsider Podcast. Or ask your HomePod mini for "AppleInsider Daily" instead and you'll hear a fast update direct from our news team. And, if you're interested in Apple-centric home automation, say "Hey, Siri, play HomeKit Insider," and you'll be listening to our newest specialized podcast in moments.
Comments
You can have a house embedded in the Apple ecosystem with a myriad of Apple devices, but if you don’t have one of these homepods you are out of luck?
Yeah. Nup.
On the other hand, I don't really have any interest in being able to speak to these other devices. I almost always have my Apple Watch or iPhone on me so I don't see what the big advantage is to having my thermostat be able to take requests.
Apple saw this market before Amazon and Google. They could have made cheap acquisitions (ring, Nest, Ecobee) back then.