i don't know how i didn't put these two together.. this just completely 180'd my opinion of the iwatch's possible success. i still wouldn't really want or need one in my small urban apartment, but this is a huge - gigantic - stab at changing things.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Said to Be Developing Smart Home Products for HomeKit Integration
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
i don't know how i didn't put these two together.. this just completely 180'd my opinion of the iwatch's possible success. i still wouldn't really want or need one in my small urban apartment, but this is a huge - gigantic - stab at changing things.
Agreed. Apple still has no real competition, which is frustrating because it means no one is pushing them to do better (besides shareholders.)
Many houses are wired with only two wires for the furnace. I think the modern standard is five wires (if not more). Without the additional wires, you don't get power, therefore no smart device. I think Honeywell cheats at this by extracting a certain amount from the differential voltage. You can also have a battery, but those only last so long when you want to do things like have Wi-Fi in the device. Any way you slice it, it's a problem. I learned to do industrial wiring 30 years ago, so I'm not shy about playing around with these things, but I'm still concerned about the prospect of configuring something like a Nest where I'm living. If the wire ran through conduit I could just pull another wire, but then if the house were new enough to have conduit for something like this it probably would have five wires running to it already.
As for automated lighting, I've been doing that for years, but recently went to put in a new switch with updated protocols and ran into another wiring issue where you need a third wire running to the box for that to work.
And yes, there are a lot of "modern" houses out there that won't pose much of a problem.
Apple has always been for people who want the next generation technology. Only recently has it seemed like they have tried to appeal to the less technically capable audience. I applaud their return to making technology for the more forward-thinking consumer who embraces new technology instead of clinging to the old ways of doing things. This will be a niche product line for the technocrats, not an iPhone-type product for the masses.
I'm the only one who doesn't want his home/apartment connected to the Internet?
Im with you. I dont need/want it.
iWatch:
Want to hail a cab? Say "Hail a cab" to your watch.
"Order a grande cappuccino at Starbucks". Proceed to walk into Starbucks, skip the line, pick it up and walk out.
iWatch notification "Your blood pressure has risen in the past month, would you like to make an appointment with your doctor?"
Skip the wallet. Just pay for anything anywhere using Touch ID/NFC on your iWatch.
Use motion control or the touch display on your iWatch to control your Apple TV.
New Apple wireless earbuds + iWatch makes listening to Spotify or iTunes Radio way less cumbersome.
Yeah, I think about this a lot. Honestly I think the iWatch is going to make our phones look like outdated, or much less useful tech within 5 years. You'll look like a luddite having to reach into your pocket for a lot of basic functions.
I love my Nest Protects. Never a false alarm and they've worked great under any test i've thrown at them. Thermostat awesome as well. I'm not thrilled with the Google aquistion, but for now I love both products and think they are better then most anything else out there. I hope apple goes the hardware route and comes up with some great new home integration products. Very exciting year. But for now, i'm satisfied with Nest.
Ill Bet...
Ill bet that android will be releasing something that is like Homekit. It could happen since Google acquired Nest a while back.
Ill bet that android will be releasing something that is like Homekit. It could happen since Google acquired Nest a while back.
I've got a bunch of "magical" stuff in my basement but I fully expect to be accused of lack of innovation until I actually release something to the public. History doesn't count anymore, it's all about what have you done for me lately... Didn't you get the memo?
Of all the Mac Rumors out there now, this one interests me the most. I don't wear watches and CarPlay is DOA for me if it uses Apple Maps.
Apple smart home products. Mmmmm...
Same here about watches but then, who used tablets before iPad? You never know what Apple will show off that will make you and I, as non-watch wearers go 'I MUST HAVE ONE!'
He fits into the common Apple stereotype believed by people who have never touched a Mac. "Overpriced products bought just for the name."
Ah, but that is because Apple isn't doing thermostats yet. When they do, I see no reason why the fanbois wouldn't form their annual line-up when Apple "revolutionizes everything" with it new iThermostat that lets you regulate temperature - now UP as well as down! Effing magic, it is.
Hardware-wise, the iPhone is already capable of doing all this except the blood pressure detection and NFC. For some reason, most of the software hasn't happened.
The main thing that would keep me away from the iWatch is that I can't wear it while I'm wearing a nice watch unless I wear two watches, which I wouldn't do of course. Besides, it couldn't replace the iPhone for everything, so it has the same problem of the iPad (vs laptops). Unless you want to spend lots of money on Apple gear, it's not an attractive buy.
----------
Just be happy your setup allows you to use wireless IP cameras. All coax wires here plus a DVR.
Maybe I'm just odd, but that argument has never held water for me. Apple's products for me:Same here about watches but then, who used tablets before iPad? You never know what Apple will show off that will make you and I, as non-watch wearers go 'I MUST HAVE ONE!'
- Mac: Bought because I needed a computer that works.
- iPod: Never bought.
- iPhone: Replaced my old phone.
- iPad: Replaced my books & laptop while traveling.
An iWatch for me wouldn't be a replacement, nor something I need. Home integration though could replace some stuff around the house. That's why I'm more interested in it.
See I don't like giving my money to one person. I like to diversity.
Yo Google What up. You get my Phone, my car and my wrest.
Yo Apple, you get Computer, my tablet and maybe my house. I don't know, I'm still thinking about that last one if anyone gets it.
Yo Microsoft. **** you! You get nothing!! Oh wait Xbox. Ok nvm you get that. BUT THAT'S IT!
Yo Google What up. You get my Phone, my car and my wrest.
Yo Apple, you get Computer, my tablet and maybe my house. I don't know, I'm still thinking about that last one if anyone gets it.
Yo Microsoft. **** you! You get nothing!! Oh wait Xbox. Ok nvm you get that. BUT THAT'S IT!
Should an Apple product, such as the AppleTV, get a RF transmitter or can send commands through the poweroutlet to be the hub for controlling everything. This all can be controlled through Homekit. And there is a reason why Apple realeased the new low-end iPod touch, it's a relatively cheap remote next to our iPhones and iPads. Think about it!
Obviously iOS integration is the future; not OSX. I'm sure Apple products will connect to both, but the future is portable, much smaller than a laptop. Oh yeah, and thinner.
One thing I can't do right now is Airplay to multiple sets of speakers from iOS devices. There is the solution of always having a desktop/laptop running and you can use Remote to control iTunes to play to multiple speakers. I find it all a little awkward. I have two houses, one with a Mac Mini that allows for this setup, while the other does not. Yes, I can open a laptop, but how about a better idea: a hub that acts as a router for Airplay. Maybe doubles as a home automation hub? I've been playing with this stuff for years and generally existing equipment lacks some combination of internal storage/processing power, ease of setup and internet connectivity.
I'm the only one who doesn't want his home/apartment connected to the Internet?
Welcome to a brave new world! As a flip side to all the convenience and security it will bring, thru the use of home automation more than ever, big brother (and God knows who else), could be watching your every move…..
'fraid that train has left the station…..
Last edited:
I would love for Apple to make a nice wifi based picture frame that integrates with iPhoto. All the picture frames out there now have lousy quality and are so cumbersome to use.
I can't agree with this statement. From its very conception the Mac was to be "the computer for the rest of us," and I believe from then on at least Apple's main goal has been to design accessible technology.
Are Apple about to start selling cars because they released CarPlay? No.
Guess what HomeKit is? - CarPlay for your home. Apple has no intention to enter the thermostat market.
This product isn't even happening. They have made a set of API's (HomeKit) for other 3rd party developers to connect their own homewares in to Apples ecosystem.
Just because they make HomeKit doesn't mean they are intending to release home hardware like thermostats and CCTV cameras. Just like because they released CarPlay they aren't about to make a car.
They are developing the iRack and iRan. The iRack lets you store stuff and the iRack is a pair of sneakers that can blow up!
But seriously I can't wait to get my hands on something like this. Apple needs to produce hardware more often!
But seriously I can't wait to get my hands on something like this. Apple needs to produce hardware more often!