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Apple and Amazon Adopt Opposing Strategies as Smart Home War Heats Up

Amplelink said:
Yeah, that's exactly it. Apple's solution is probably best for the consumer, but it takes too long to implement. I can't believe I'm saying this, but Apple's approach in this day and age is a little outdated. This is the age of release-and-revise.
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It's also the age of 100's of millions of Android devices that will never get the proper security updates required to not make them into corporate surveillance devices/botnet participants.

More security, yes please.
 
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Zaft said:
Well as far as IOS goes that is incorrect. People enjoy a stable, secure os for their phone.

It may not be the same for Home automation.
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I enjoy a stable secure OS too. That's not the point. Not enough do to make that argument a successful marketing strategy. Compare iOS and Android market share and tell me again I'm incorrect.
 
adamjackson said:
There will be a very hard difference between Pro HomeKit people and those who are against it. I value security and privacy over technology which is why I only use HomeKit devices.

More expensive, less choice, lots of issues but hearing Apple's requirements makes me a proud HomeKit user. I don't want someone watching me eat or sleep or unlocking my deadbolt or turning my house into a dance party w/o my permission.

The failure of HomeKit is perfectly aligned with how iOS, Siri and CarPlay have failed (compared to the Android counterparts). Apple puts privacy over functionality and this hurts them in the long-run. I applaud Apple's commitment to privacy.
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Since when has carplay failed?
 
Ramchi said:
I think NOT all smart home solutions require a great deal of security other than entry points (Door/Windows). Most of the Alexa users may be using SMART Home solutions such as energy consumption, powering on-off devices at home....measure water consumption and measure power consumption etc...Most of these applications may not require strict security requirements
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Webcams and anything with microphones might be things you want to be as secure as possible as well. And while you might not care if your webcam is used in a DDOS attack, some people might care about that.
 
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Kabeyun said:
I enjoy a stable secure OS too. That's not the point. Not enough do to make that argument a successful marketing strategy. Compare iOS and Android market share and tell me again I'm incorrect.
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Yes open will always gain more market share, but I doubt apple thinks they "lost".
That's what I was referring to, just because apple has less market share does not mean they lost especially when most of those android phones are cheap as dirt and are used as dumb phones.
 
BrianKonarsMac said:
"A non-hackable smart home product like a door lock or a camera provides more peace of mind than quick compatibility."

What evidence is there to support that it is IMPOSSIBLE to hack homekit?
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You're right, nothings hack-proof. Connecting your things to the internet exposes them to added risk. But if I'm going to connect my home to remote controllability, I'd rather go all in with a company that takes security the most seriously. Same with my computer and phone OS's, which is why I'm willing to endure the frustrations of being in the Apple ecosystem.
 
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Ramchi said:
Most of these applications may not require strict security requirements
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Maybe not directly, but these devices are in your home network and if your smart fridge can be used to hack your router or other devices from the inside and launch man in the middle attacks against you, then you will hopefully realize that everything you bring online in your home needs to comply with the highest security standards.
 
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HJM.NL said:
Another market Apple passes by focusing more on earnings and milking customers. Once they were on the forefront. Today Apple solutions are over expensive and stalling compared to the competition. Apple is slowly eroding it's brand and has become a money driven soulless company.
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You must know as well as anyone, they've never tried to be the do everything company. It doesn't matter as long as they are in the key industries at the right time.
 
cult hero said:
Security extends much further than that. Would you be bothered if an exploit in your light lead to being able to open your door?
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YSR50 said:
What about cameras, doors, windows, or just "always on" listening devices?
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It needs to be pointed out that depending on which system you are using (smartthings, etc), you can't just open doors and windows with your voice. That would be a major security issue if that's allowed. My echo is mainly used for lights, turning my home theater system on and off, playing music and just asking questions (weather, news, etc). I also use it occasionally to order stuff from Amazon (which requires a pin).

The security protocols are already there and even if someone does hack in to the echo, it won't prevent my other systems (Nest, Smartthings etc.) from notifying me about what is happening. As far as the "always on" paranoid delusion. The echo is not always listening and recording every word you say. It only triggers "on" when it hears the programmed wake word.
 
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flipperfeet said:
I have both, I observe failure to respond or complete a task with equal frequency via HomeKit and Alexa commands. The reality is that there is a fair amount of shared operability of the devices between the platforms so settling on one is not required. Nearly all of my HomeKit devices have an Alexa "skill."

This being said, I will not be adding any smart devices controlling an entry point that do not have a security level equal to or greater than HomeKit.
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Well, this article made me delete the timers from the Home app and program them in the Hue app. I'll let you know in a couple of weeks how that works out.
 
I recently got an Echo Dot and I love this thing!
I can even setup AT&T as a skill and I can tell Alexa to send a text to someone on my list.
The voice is clear, natural and pleasant and sounds like a real person.
I haven't been able to stump her (LOL!) yet.
Apple has it's work cut out for them. Here's hoping they catch up soon.
 
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Zaft said:
Well as far as IOS goes that is incorrect. People enjoy a stable, secure os for their phone.

It may not be the same for Home automation.
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Right, it's common across many industries. There's the mass market which will often have lowest common denominator or commoditized offerings and then there are companies that differentiate with other value prop and higher price point. Personally I have zero problem paying a premium (or these days that's often paying period on the software/service side) for an offering with higher security and/or better privacy.

The best part is the market forces at play that can lift all ships. The higher end can't run away with pricing or they will be priced out of growth in market share and the lower end has pressure to offer features and quality the higher end has presented to market.
 
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AppleFan360 said:
It needs to be pointed out that depending on which system you are using (smartthings, etc), you can't just open doors and windows with your voice. That would be a major security issue if that's allowed. My echo is mainly used for lights, turning my home theater system on and off, playing music and just asking questions (weather, news, etc). I also use it occasionally to order stuff from Amazon (which requires a pin).

The security protocols are already there and even if someone does hack in to the echo, it won't prevent my other systems (Nest, Smartthings etc.) from notifying me about what is happening. As far as the "always on" paranoid delusion. The echo is not always listening and recording every word you say. It only triggers "on" when it hears the programmed wake word.
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Yea but to trigger "on" it needs to be listening in the first place.
 
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This is why I only own HomeKit smart devices. I don't care if there aren't that many HomeKit smart devices. I take my security seriously.
 
Security is great. But the control Apple is keeping is a bit far reaching and one of the reasons their ad platform was a disaster.
 
I kept waiting for Apple to catch up in flexibility and variety of products. Then I bought an Echo dot for $40 and not I'm sold on the Amazon ecosystem. Apple missed the boat. Going forward, any smart product I buy will be Echo compatible.
 
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