Apple Hires Ex-Microsoft Exec to Revamp Smart Home Business

[mi7chy]

If Steve Jobs really cared about computers, he shouldn't have discontinued floppy drives like an idiot. /s

5G is going to overtake WiFi as the connectivity standard as anything with a CPU, big and small, will have 5G chips built in and can connect directly to the internet without requiring a local network.

WIFI over broadband is still very relevant. 5G is not going to replace WIFI in the home due to cost per device, data cap, less coverage and less consistent throughput/latency. Bad analogy comparing it to floppy drive.

 

[rp2011]

Touch ID deems like it would be awesome for door knobs

 

[Internet Enzyme]

CNBC reports that Apple has hired ex-Microsoft exec and former CEO of a smart lock company to revamp Apple's home initiatives.Apple has been making movement into the home space for years, with the introduction of HomeKit as well as the HomePod which is powered by Siri. HomePod, however, has lagged behind its competitors despite making steady improvements. Apple's latest hire as well as recent acquisition of a voice technology company seems to indicate that they are refocusing their efforts.

Sam Jadallah's Linkedin page​

Jadallah was most recently CEO of failed smart lock company Otto. Otto was described as a "luxury smart lock":That company ultimately failed, but it appears that Jadallah will be applying that knowledge forward at Apple.

Article Link: Apple Hires Ex-Microsoft Exec to Revamp Smart Home Business

I actually think homekit is fantastic. Its far better than alexa integration because you have a graphical way of interacting with your devices at any time with the control center

 

[hans1972]

Before Cook the Mac was very popular in schools, creative industry and attracted lots of newcomers to the platform. All they had to do is upgrade their gear on a yearly basis with the latest chips and technology. It would have cost them minimal effort and resources. But Cook chose to neglect the platform to a point I don’t even recommend it anymore to friends or family.

And yet, Apple grew the number of Mac users from 60 millions in 2012 to 100 million users in 2018.
In fact, more than 50% of those who buy a Mac has never owned a Mac before.

 

[citysnaps]

For me all smart locks have the same failing, they can all be opened from inside without using a key. If someone breaks in via a window, they can easily leave by the front door. People leaving via the front door doesn’t arouse suspicion. Carrying a TV etc out of the window does. I would like a smart lock that was like a deadbolt ( not latch ) that needs a key both sides to lock and unlock manually, yet can be operated like a smart lock. It would also need to be made out of quality metal not like some of these plastic toys. You would then have a simple smart latch for normal opening and closing.

As are most key-operated entry deadbolts, mandated by building codes. It's a safety related fire egress issue. That's a good thing.
[doublepost=1550433796][/doublepost]

Wouldn’t any lock that required a key to exit be a safety issue in case of an emergency?

Absolutely. Which is why (at least in many areas) double-cylinder deadbolt locks are not permitted in any door serving as an entry/exit to a home. The interior side of the deadbolt just have a thumb-turn. If it's a mortise lock with a deadbolt, the interior handle must also throwback the deadbolt in addition to the passage latch (at least in California). That's a good feature when there's an interior fire and seconds count getting out alive.

 

[v3rlon]

I actually think homekit is fantastic. Its far better than alexa integration because you have a graphical way of interacting with your devices at any time with the control center

I use Homekit and Alexa, but have generally found Alexa easier to set up. Not a LOT easier, but still.

What I would really like is for smart homes to be, well, smarter.

I have a sensor. I come in the front door and it turns on a light scene for me
- if it is after dark
- if some OTHER lights aren't already on
- if the TV is off because I wouldn't want to mess with other viewing in progress.

The thermostat knows if I am just sleeping in my room because I worked all night and doesn't let the house get up to 85F.

If I tell it to turn off all the lights, it turns off all the lights and doesn't complain about a few things sharing that name (when nothing has that name).

It automatically talks quieter after bedtime.

 

[ipedro]

Would each device require it’s own cellular plan then or will they be able to share one?

Just as cellular plans adapted to high data use after the launch of the iPhone, data plans will adapt to 5G which has been designed specifically for a world where each user has dozens of connected devices. 5G was designed purposefully to deal with the flood of IoT connected devices. High bandwidth and low latency are needed for 5G to replace local networks and those are exactly the principle features of 5G.

That is a nightmare situation. I, like most people, prefer their home networks to be fire-walled via router - the most logical & secure arrangement. I do not want all devices connecting to the internet independently, ever. That’s a really bad idea.

No, the most secure arrangement is encrypted direct peer to peer communication. Your iPhone already communicates directly with your Mac and with your iPad for things like AirDrop and Continuity, bypassing local networks entirely. This isn't some far fledged concept. It's already happening. Devices have been decentralizing from local networks as the popularity of cloud services has been rising.

If you're afraid to take your data outside your local network, I'm going to have to assume that you're not on iCloud and that you don't use services like Google Drive, Dropbox or iCloud Drive. End to end encryption insures that data travels to the cloud and to all your authorized devices, regardless of where they are. It's like having a "local network" everywhere you are, not just on your local wifi.

The main reason people still have WiFi in their homes and in their offices is because of a) cheap bandwidth and b) speed. 5G is solving both of those problems. WiFi's days are numbered as the main way the general public connects.

 

[DNichter]

Lol, 88% correct for navigation? You seem the guy who drives around in his car with an HomePod
It shows it’s still the worst on information.

I know comprehension is tough for you so I’ll try to explain... The discussion was about commands when it comes to smart home execution, which the HomePod was found to be best in.

 

[ipedro]

I hate using the word pick proof, but I feel much safer with my Medeco cylinders than most of the junk sold in HD or Lowes.

If somebody is going through the trouble of picking your locks, there's a far easier way to get into your house. A brick thrown through your window if they just want to get in or a glass cutter if they need to be discrete — either will do the trick. Your locks only keep opportunists out, not dedicated thieves.

Smart locks remove the inconvenience for the people who are supposed to have access while making locks far harder to break into for the average thief. If a thief is sophisticated enough to overcome the encryption in these smart locks, then they're probably making a lot of money in the IT sector and what's in your house is far more valuable. In which case, you'll probably have other methods of securing your home.

 

[macfacts]

Apple has too many hobbies.

 

[9081094]

And yet, Apple grew the number of Mac users from 60 millions in 2012 to 100 million users in 2018.
In fact, more than 50% of those who buy a Mac has never owned a Mac before.

Wonder what that number would be like if they hadn’t neglected the platform for so long. Whole industries dependent on the Mac abandoned ship because of the neglect.
All they attracted new to the brand are the not so tech demanding fashion shoppers who think it’s cool to have a Mac.
[doublepost=1550434783][/doublepost]

I know comprehension is tough for you so I’ll try to explain... The discussion was about commands when it comes to smart home execution, which the HomePod was found to be best in.

That category is also the easiest to program and dumb as hell.
[doublepost=1550434862][/doublepost]

Apple has too many hobbies.

Apple has only hobbies.

 

[RecentlyConverted]

Wouldn’t any lock that required a key to exit be a safety issue in case of an emergency?

Not really, most European countries have had those locks for the last few decades.

 

[halluxsinister]

Apple’s brilliant idea: hire someone from Microsoft... I guess the RMS Titanic’s captain wasn’t available, nor was the design team who built the Hindenberg.

This is like Dr. Claw from Inspector Gadget hiring Wile E. Coyote.

 

[duffman9000]

If somebody is going through the trouble of picking your locks, there's a far easier way to get into your house. A brick thrown through your window if they just want to get in or a glass cutter if they need to be discrete — either will do the trick. Your locks only keep opportunists out, not dedicated thieves.

Yup, exactly. If someone wants to break into my house they will have to cause some kind of commotion that will hopefully attract attention. I have cameras covering doors that’s rented likely targets and the electrical box is locked. None of this is high security but i don’t want to be an easy mark.

 

[DNichter]

Wonder what that number would be like if they hadn’t neglected the platform for so long. Whole industries dependent on the Mac abandoned ship because of the neglect.
All they attracted new to the brand are the not so tech demanding fashion shoppers who think it’s cool to have a Mac.
[doublepost=1550434783][/doublepost]
That category is also the easiest to program and dumb as hell.
[doublepost=1550434862][/doublepost]
Apple has only hobbies.

I wonder why the other platforms aren’t better at it then. I’m just happy you were able to understand and admit that I’m correct. That’s progress right there.

 

[mikethemartian]

And yet, Apple grew the number of Mac users from 60 millions in 2012 to 100 million users in 2018.
In fact, more than 50% of those who buy a Mac has never owned a Mac before.

Where do you get that statistic? This website only shows a very small increase from 2012 to 2018.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/276308/global-apple-mac-sales-since-fiscal-year-2002/

 

[EvilEvil]

Apple should’ve acquired August.

They’re already in tune with Apple in the design sense and have the potential to expand beyond locks and doorbells. They were acquired by the world’s biggest lock company so I think they’re now off limits.

I could see August expanding into door and window sensors next and beyond that into cameras and a thermostat.

Had Apple acquired August, they would’ve had, pardon the pun, a turn-key operation.

I think there needs to be an internal change at Apple. They keep buying companies but none of them have helped them improve their software and hardware.

 

[Edsel]

I wish Apple could convince a window manufacturer to create an electric sash window that could be opened and closed with an app or wall switch. It could also include a security sensor, and a rain sensor that would close the window automatically. The electric window would be for new construction or remodeling.

 

[9081094]

I wonder why the other platforms aren’t better at it then. I’m just happy you were able to understand and admit that I’m correct. That’s progress right there.

Admit what? I’m not connecting with your isolated world.

 

[mi7chy]

I think there needs to be an internal change at Apple. They keep buying companies but none of them have helped them improve their software and hardware.

Maybe the motive isn't to acquire technology but for financial/tax incentives.

 

[9081094]

I think there needs to be an internal change at Apple. They keep buying companies but none of them have helped them improve their software and hardware.

Like their products I think their organization is a complete mess. They used to come up with much more and outstanding quality when they were the tenth of the size they’re today.
Looks to me they’re in some sort of panic mode and releasing half baked services and products to be part of the game.

 

[mikethemartian]

If somebody is going through the trouble of picking your locks, there's a far easier way to get into your house. A brick thrown through your window if they just want to get in or a glass cutter if they need to be discrete — either will do the trick. Your locks only keep opportunists out, not dedicated thieves.

Smart locks remove the inconvenience for the people who are supposed to have access while making locks far harder to break into for the average thief. If a thief is sophisticated enough to overcome the encryption in these smart locks, then they're probably making a lot of money in the IT sector and what's in your house is far more valuable. In which case, you'll probably have other methods of securing your home.

The smart locks don’t accept a physical key? The only electronic lock (Schlage) I have ever used accepted a regular key in case the battery died or the electronics otherwise failed.

 

[9081094]

Maybe the motive isn't to acquire technology but for financial/tax incentives.

Lol, Apple works more like a bank instead of being a technology company. Servicing shareholders and ripping off customers.

 

[now i see it]

HomeKit seems to be a hard sell to wireless gadget manufacturers. They seem to always come out with their own app at launch and allude that HomeKit compatibility might be coming in the future. Sometimes it does, often it doesn't. It seems like HomeKit has lost its hype luster and manufacturers are going their own way.

 

[DNichter]

Admit what? I’m not connecting with your isolated world.

I know I know, the comprehension part. I keep forgetting. Well you weren’t contesting that the HomePod was best when it came to smart home commands, just that those commands were “easiest to program and dumb as hell.” Hope that helps.