Apple Opens Up HomeKit Platform To Make Smart Product Development Easier

[MacRumors]

Apple has taken steps to make its HomeKit smart home platform more accessible to third parties in order to encourage faster adoption, the company announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference on Wednesday (via Forbes).

Apple told developers in session that they no longer need an MFi (Made for iPhone/iPod/iPad) license to test out HomeKit smart products before bringing them to market, and are even free to experiment with the platform using popular custom-fit boards like Arduino and Raspberry Pi.

The looser licensing should make it easier for developers to test out prototypes of smart home gadgets, although certification must still be obtained before the products are ready for commercial sale, Apple noted.

In addition to the licensing change, Apple has updated its HomeKit specification so that compatible smart products no longer have to include a hardware authentication chip. The update means authentication will go through software instead, with a firmware update allowing existing or future products to go through the same software-based authorization. Despite the change, Apple said the authentication process would use the same hardened encryption as it always has.

HomeKit has enjoyed reasonably wide support among smart gadget manufacturers, although users have sometimes had to wait for products to add the standard well after they have come to market. With a little luck, yesterday's announcement should minimize the time it takes for third parties to integrate HomeKit into their smart gadgets.

Article Link: Apple Opens Up HomeKit Platform To Make Smart Product Development Easier

 

[chfilm]

Another good move from Apple! I'm beginning to lust after more homekit accessories!

The coolest product would be a little chip to put between a powerline and a ceiling mounted hanging light. These bulb Adapters, or the smart bulb themselves don't work for my use case, as I have these cool vintage lightbulbs in golden lamp sockets.. why is there nothing to attach to the cable directly?

 

[44267547]

Another good move from Apple! I'm beginning to lust after more homekit accessories

And now add HomePod that is going to be able to be more affiliated with HomeKit controlling lights and thermostats, etc. just another tool for integration and allowing for more of a seamless experience. The software security change is also an interesting change.

 

[Recognition]

Another good move from Apple! I'm beginning to lust after more homekit accessories!

The coolest product would be a little chip to put between a powerline and a ceiling mounted hanging light. These bulb Adapters, or the smart bulb themselves don't work for my use case, as I have these cool vintage lightbulbs in golden lamp sockets.. why is there nothing to attach to the cable directly?

Just get a smart wall switch, and swap with your existing wall switches for those light fittings.

This is interesting news, I use homebridge on my Raspberry Pi to control non HomeKit and ‘dumb’ devices with Siri and the iPhone. I wonder what effect this will have on these workarounds?

 

[robinp]

Sounds like good news as long as the security is maintained.

 

[trunten]

Hopefully no hardware chip will me more standalone devices without the need for yet another hub!

 

[elvisimprsntr]

Finally! Now Homebridge (https://github.com/nfarina/homebridge) and HAP-NodeJS (https://github.com/KhaosT/HAP-NodeJS) are legal.

 

[spazzcat]

Hopefully no hardware chip will me more standalone devices without the need for yet another hub!

You know the chip is there for security and the reason they require it.

 

[Corrode]

You know the chip is there for security and the reason they require it.

Did you read the article?

In addition to the licensing change, Apple has updated its HomeKit specification so that compatible smart products no longer have to include a hardware authentication chip. The update means authentication will go through software instead, with a firmware update allowing existing or future products to go through the same software-based authorization. Despite the change, Apple said the authentication process would use the same hardened encryption as it always has.

 

[Jeremy1026]

This change is for prototyping, devices that will be distributed/sold still need to go through proper MFi certifications. This will likely not shorten time to add HomeKit to commercial devices.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

Hopefully this won't make Homekit vulnerable like all the garbage like Smart Things and Weemo.

 

[Madmic23]

The coolest product would be a little chip to put between a powerline and a ceiling mounted hanging light. These bulb Adapters, or the smart bulb themselves don't work for my use case, as I have these cool vintage lightbulbs in golden lamp sockets.. why is there nothing to attach to the cable directly?

You're in luck, Lutron already makes this. http://www.casetawireless.com/pages/applehomekit.aspx

Having a smart switch is definitely more economical and user friendly than having a smart bulb.

 

[adamjackson]

This is great news. Aside from the complaints from manufacturers, I as a consumer have had an issue paying sometimes 50% more for a product that is HomeKit certified due to the strict Apple rules.

If this new program allows for the same security & privacy of my data / home but allows companies to lower their expenditures to bring a product to market, I'm very excited. This should open up things for smaller manufacturers and maybe allow things like ceiling fans to not cost $400 just because they support HomeKit.

 

[FlyersPh9]

Hopefully this won't make Homekit vulnerable like all the garbage like Smart Things and Weemo.

Go ahead and list the reasons why SmartThings is vulnerable. Before you start, "Because I can't figure out how to use it properly" isn't a reason.

 

[imola.zhp]

Awesome. I went to a cyber security conference for work recently, wow, I had no idea IOT stuff was so vulnerable. I have decided to stop buying new things for now and if I can ever find some time, research the ones I have to make sure they are ok and if not, replace them with better options.

 

[Cndnmax]

Awesome. I went to a cyber security conference for work recently, wow, I had no idea IOT stuff was so vulnerable. I have decided to stop buying new things for now and if I can ever find some time, research the ones I have to make sure they are ok and if not, replace them with better options.

What exactly are you worried about? Someone turning off the lights on you or blasting your AC?

 

[ericpwb]

Another good move from Apple! I'm beginning to lust after more homekit accessories!

The coolest product would be a little chip to put between a powerline and a ceiling mounted hanging light. These bulb Adapters, or the smart bulb themselves don't work for my use case, as I have these cool vintage lightbulbs in golden lamp sockets.. why is there nothing to attach to the cable directly?

The insteon micro dimmer (or micro switch) sounds like what you're looking for, and it's already HomeKit compatible. http://www.insteon.com/dimmer-micro-module/

 

[chfilm]

The insteon micro dimmer (or micro switch) sounds like what you're looking for, and it's already HomeKit compatible. http://www.insteon.com/dimmer-micro-module/

Hey, thanks for the great advice! I read some stories online though about the switch not being compatible with German wall outlets, and also the whole insteon to HomeKit workaround seems a bit Annoying. But this gives me hope that there will be an equivalent fully HomeKit compatible product in the future.

 

[Dr Kevorkian94]

I also use homebridge for my dumb devices. As of now I have it set up to run AppleScripts on my Mac that control playback and airplay on my speakers throughout the house. It’s nice to be able to say “hey Siri turn on instide speakers” and have it work. Although it’s as stable and easy as something made to actually work with HomeKit.

 

[imola.zhp]

What exactly are you worried about? Someone turning off the lights on you or blasting your AC?

More like monitoring my porch and driveway with my Ring camera's. The latter would tell them when I am not at home. Not that we don't have and use an alarm system, but still.

 

[epaminos]

So do you believe we will see Nest products supporting HomeKit?

 

[iPhonetherefore]

I have asked nest among other UK based companies if they will be reconsidering HomeKit now it can be done by software. Lets hope so on some of them, nest would be helpful - 2 protects and a cam in my house!

heres hoping!

 

[ipedro]

This makes it possible for products like Nest to offer a firmware update to become HomeKit compatible. Canary's vapourware HomeKit camera can finally just mean a firmware update to existing Canary cameras.

 

[ericpwb]

Hey, thanks for the great advice! I read some stories online though about the switch not being compatible with German wall outlets, and also the whole insteon to HomeKit workaround seems a bit Annoying. But this gives me hope that there will be an equivalent fully HomeKit compatible product in the future.

For HomeKit, you need the insteon hub pro: http://www.insteon.com/insteon-hub-homekit/

As far as being in Germany, I suspect the 2442-422 dimmer module would work, as it is the EU version.

 

[chfilm]

For HomeKit, you need the insteon hub pro: http://www.insteon.com/insteon-hub-homekit/

As far as being in Germany, I suspect the 2442-422 dimmer module would work, as it is the EU version.

yea, but sadly I read that while technically fit for our power grid, they have some weird dimensions that dont follow the standardized wall power outlets that we find in our homes