So it can figure out if somebody is home, and who, and set the temperature.
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Apple Submits Mystery 'Wireless Device' With Bluetooth and NFC to FCC
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So it can figure out if somebody is home, and who, and set the temperature.
It could be a Apple Pay terminal developed by Apple.
I work in the Physical Access control space (Example: Card Access). D0 and D1 often is coupled with RS485 on our controllers for Data 0 and Data 1 wiegand (serial) connections.
Usually this isn't used in consumer spaces so maybe it is for internal uses. Here is some details on Wiegand interfaces (D1/D0) for card access systems.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiegand_interface
Apple uses access control all over the place including on the Apple Watch drawers in their stores to access the demo watches.
Usually this isn't used in consumer spaces so maybe it is for internal uses. Here is some details on Wiegand interfaces (D1/D0) for card access systems.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiegand_interface
Apple uses access control all over the place including on the Apple Watch drawers in their stores to access the demo watches.
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My first thought based on the description is that it's an input device of some kind, like a mouse or trackpad. It could also be a speaker but the lack of wi-fi would mean that it would lack Airplay.
If it's an input device it could provide NFC functionality to legacy Macs making iPhone and Airpod pairing easier.
If it's an input device it could provide NFC functionality to legacy Macs making iPhone and Airpod pairing easier.
I hope it is a POS device to rapidly expand NFC usage to millions of small retailers.
The RS-485 reference makes sense for existing legacy register systems.
Rocketman
The RS-485 reference makes sense for existing legacy register systems.
Rocketman
Definitely hoping for an Echo-like device. A thermostat would be nice too, but at this point I need something to improve Apple's music experience, not do something that my current thermostat can already do
Let me guess...
This device is wired to the wall just inside your front door. Home or office.
An invited visitor to your house/office taps their iPhone on it as they enter. They are then magically given permission to control your home automation devices from their phone. Perfect for friends, relatives, babysitters, pet-sitters, kid's friends, workmen, nannies, etc.
No more of this messing-around where you, the homeowner, have to act like a sysadmin and manually enter everybody's email address to grant them "permission" and all that nonsense. No, just a simple rule that if they're physically inside your house they can turn the light on. Just like a normal house!
And when they leave bluetooth range (i.e., they leave for the day) they automatically lose access until the next time you let them in and they tap their phone on this NFC gadget thing.
This device is wired to the wall just inside your front door. Home or office.
An invited visitor to your house/office taps their iPhone on it as they enter. They are then magically given permission to control your home automation devices from their phone. Perfect for friends, relatives, babysitters, pet-sitters, kid's friends, workmen, nannies, etc.
No more of this messing-around where you, the homeowner, have to act like a sysadmin and manually enter everybody's email address to grant them "permission" and all that nonsense. No, just a simple rule that if they're physically inside your house they can turn the light on. Just like a normal house!
And when they leave bluetooth range (i.e., they leave for the day) they automatically lose access until the next time you let them in and they tap their phone on this NFC gadget thing.
I think you're almost there.
But most Payment Terminals use RS-232 for serial (along with USB, Ethernet), and not RS-485
RS-485 is used in model railways according to Wikipedia... Apple model HO scale train set confirmed.
Could it be
Yes it could
Something's coming
Something good
If I can wait
Something's coming
I don't know what it is
But it is
Going to be great
- S. Sondheim
Yes it could
Something's coming
Something good
If I can wait
Something's coming
I don't know what it is
But it is
Going to be great
- S. Sondheim
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Lots of programmable thermostats have keypad locks, too. Apple Watch insures only the "Master(s) of the House" can play with the A/C.
I use RS485 for industrial controls. It may be a good way to connect a load of sensors, like temperature together.
pretty much all industrial comms use rs485.
My money is on some kind of HomeKit Hub.