Siri Control of HomeKit Devices While On the Go Requires Apple TV as Hub

[MacRumors]

One of the major focuses at CES this year was home automation, with a number of vendors announcing their plans for devices integrating with Apple's new HomeKit ecosystem. One of the key features of these HomeKit devices has been the ability to control them from iOS devices via Siri, allowing users to turn lights on or off, close garage doors, and more with just their voices.

As noted by The Verge, however, users hoping to accomplish such tasks while away from home will need to have an Apple TV on their home network to serve as the hub for these devices.

So, while commands like "Siri, turn off the lights in the living room" will always work while connected to your home Wi-Fi network, they won't from the airport unless you have an Apple TV. But that's it -- you can still switch off the lights with an app, no Apple TV required. This behavior has been confirmed by a source close to HomeKit's development as well as two launch partners who wish to remain anonymous. Only third-generation or later Apple TVs running software 7.0 or later will support HomeKit.

Apple has quietly included HomeKit in the Apple TV's software, but The Verge notes Apple will not be marketing the set-top box specifically as a home automation hub.

Many of the home automation vendors have been fairly vague about launch plans for their devices, and sources indicate that uncertainty is due in large part to the need to wait for Apple to finish polishing its HomeKit tools to ensure proper functionality. With HomeKit-enabled chips only recently beginning to ship to vendors and Apple's vendor licensing program still getting underway, most of these companies still have a few hurdles to cross before they can make their products available for sale.

Article Link: Siri Control of HomeKit Devices While On the Go Requires Apple TV as Hub

 

[prowlmedia]

Knew it! This is going to be very big in the next few years.

Bring on ATV4 with actual apps and native gaming and they will have a Essential hub device.

Location based home control for lighting etc.

 

[macaco74]

still definitely want one

 

[malexandria]

Lovely

Require the use of a device you label a "Hobby" that hasn't had an update in what 3 years now? A device that does a pretty lousy job handling HD Video? At this point I don't even want Apple to update the AppleTV because if past is prologue they'll make it worse. I wouldn't be surprised if the dBags remove the ethernet port making it WiFi only.

 

[chuloo]

Just make Siri support Swedish.

 

[byke]

Just make Siri support Swedish.

Its not worth it, the language is too small and irrelevant.

 

[cogitodexter]

Require the use of a device you label a "Hobby" that hasn't had an update in what 3 years now? A device that does a pretty lousy job handling HD Video? At this point I don't even want Apple to update the AppleTV because if past is prologue they'll make it worse. I wouldn't be surprised if the dBags remove the ethernet port making it WiFi only.

I'll bite.

The device doesn't really need an update. It's a low cost networked streaming device that provides 1080p output on HDMI.

It's low power and perfect to be an 'always on' hub for other household devices. It's perfectly logical for it to take on the Home Automation role since it already has the ability to have a visual interface on a device almost everyone has - i.e the TV. It also doesn't need instructions - it's pretty much plug in and go.

What else does it need to do?

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Require the use of a device you label a "Hobby"

Tim Cook dropped that label and said it was more than a hobby during a quarterly report Q&A last year, as I recall.

 

[cdm283813]

Its not worth it, the language is too small and irrelevant.

I don't think he understood you.

 

[zedsdead]

This bodes well for a revamp Apple TV this year. I think it will actually happen (not a TV set, but a new box). Finally!!!!!

 

[SmoMo]

"Siri, switch off the Apple TV"

 

[DaveTheRave]

What else does it need to do?

Support Amazon Prime / Instant Video. Apple, stop crippling ATV.

 

[mainstreetmark]

I'll bite.

The device doesn't really need an update. It's a low cost networked streaming device that provides 1080p output on HDMI.

It's low power and perfect to be an 'always on' hub for other household devices. It's perfectly logical for it to take on the Home Automation role since it already has the ability to have a visual interface on a device almost everyone has - i.e the TV. It also doesn't need instructions - it's pretty much plug in and go.

What else does it need to do?

Well replied.

All of the current devices seem to need separate hubs (August door lock, Phillips Hue...). The AppleTV (and probably some cheaper Homekit-only cousin) is perfect. ATV3 is already in a lot of homes, so why not.

I look forward to any improvements. And, ideally, the HomeKit/AppleTV will allow for some IFTTT style actions.

 

[Zxxv]

So, while commands like "Siri, turn off the lights in the living room" will always work while connected to your home Wi-Fi network, they won’t from the airport unless you have an Apple TV. But that’s it — you can still switch off the lights with an app, no Apple TV required. This behavior has been confirmed by a source close to HomeKit’s development as well as two launch partners who wish to remain anonymous. Only third-generation or later Apple TVs running software 7.0 or later will support HomeKit.

I hope one of those isn't Phillips hue as they have said users won't need to upgrade their current hue device. I hope they aren't remaining anonymous due to releasing a new product and screwing current users.

 

[tuckerjj]

Doesn't add up

I'm not buying this rumor.

The WWDC developer video for home kit explicitly stated that home kit devices could be securly controlled via Siri both in and out of the house, and made no mention of a "home kit hub" being required.

Also home kit devices connect to the Internet (and yes, sometimes via their own hubs like with hue, which is a different matter - hue bulbs talk over zigbee not wifi so a zigbee hub is required and the Apple TV cannot be used instead) to talk to your iOS devices, so why should a "home kit hub" be required in the middle? What does it add?

 

[szw-mapple fan]

Require the use of a device you label a "Hobby" that hasn't had an update in what 3 years now? A device that does a pretty lousy job handling HD Video? At this point I don't even want Apple to update the AppleTV because if past is prologue they'll make it worse. I wouldn't be surprised if the dBags remove the ethernet port making it WiFi only.

Maybe the "hobby" label will come off once apple officially begins to advertise homekit.

 

[prowlmedia]

Require the use of a device you label a "Hobby" that hasn't had an update in what 3 years now? A device that does a pretty lousy job handling HD Video? At this point I don't even want Apple to update the AppleTV because if past is prologue they'll make it worse. I wouldn't be surprised if the dBags remove the ethernet port making it WiFi only.

Get out of the wrong side of bed did you?

 

[Neepman]

Geez. Lighten up peoples. The thing is a hundred bucks and one of the few actual "values" in the whole apple universe.

 

[prowlmedia]

I'm not buying this rumor.

The WWDC developer video for home kit explicitly stated that home kit devices could be securly controlled via Siri both in and out of the house, and made no mention of a "home kit hub" being required.

Also home kit devices connect to the Internet (and yes, sometimes via their own hubs like with hue, which is a different matter - hue bulbs talk over zigbee not wifi so a zigbee hub is required and the Apple TV cannot be used instead) to talk to your iOS devices, so why should a "home kit hub" be required in the middle? What does it add?

Well I've just flipped though the WWDC - Intro to home kit and he says

Remote access
Enables though iOS device connectivity - and no requirement for your apps to use this feature.

How would you suggest that devices at home connect to the iOS with specific tunnelling for each device? I suspect without it you would have a lot of Firewall issues?

 

[heimo]

"Siri, switch off the Apple TV"

I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.

 

[Woogaloo]

Support Amazon Prime / Instant Video.

I agree with this part of your statement. The iPad has the app which I sometimes use so it would be nice to be able to use it on the TV versus using AirPlay.

 

[lazyrighteye]

Require the use of a device you label a "Hobby" that hasn't had an update in what 3 years now? A device that does a pretty lousy job handling HD Video? At this point I don't even want Apple to update the AppleTV because if past is prologue they'll make it worse. I wouldn't be surprised if the dBags remove the ethernet port making it WiFi only.

#crankpants

 

[satchmo]

This bodes well for a revamp Apple TV this year. I think it will actually happen (not a TV set, but a new box). Finally!!!!!

Any conjecture as to when we might think this year?

I figure WWDC would be the likely venue to announce this. But it's so jam packed with AppleWatch and iOS development, I wonder if they'll even have time to squeeze in a HomeKit /Apple TV announcement?

 

[TallManNY]

Require the use of a device you label a "Hobby" that hasn't had an update in what 3 years now? A device that does a pretty lousy job handling HD Video? At this point I don't even want Apple to update the AppleTV because if past is prologue they'll make it worse. I wouldn't be surprised if the dBags remove the ethernet port making it WiFi only.

Ha. I've never hooked my Apple TV up to ethernet. WiFi is so freaking fast now, why would you need anything else for streaming video though? Maybe if you view Apple TV as a gaming console then you want the ethernet for latency reasons. But if your home wifi router is the latest generation it should talk really fast with an Apple TV 4.

 

[MICMAC247]

Interesting, I haven't read too much into HomeKit for Apple but this is a space that interests me greatly. I was considering a purchase of the "Wink" Relay as it looks to be able to control several of my connected devices under one roof. Would I be better off waiting for the HomeKit integration to go live? Is there a running list of HomeKit compatible products?