Apple Homekit - An Overview

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Overview of Apple HomeKit

First introduced in 2014 and recently revamped, the Apple HomeKit is a unique piece of technology that endeavors to fully connect every aspect of your home. Offering the ease and benefits of smart technology, the Apple HomeKit is extremely innovative and marks Apple’s first steps towards a fully connected house. As it was released way back in 2014, the HomeKit has experienced a radical reinvention from the ground up which has resulted in a powerful ecosystem of products that stand apart from their competitors. Below is an introduction to the Apple HomeKit and the ways in which it may change how you interact with smart devices. The technology may take a little time to get used to, but the benefits far outweigh the learning curve.

The History of Apple HomeKit

The Apple HomeKit was released as a full-fledged product during the explosion of the growing smart home product landscape. Although it was introduced months before Amazon’s Alexa or Google’s Home products, Apple slowed down the release of it in order to fully develop the product. As a result of these years of work, HomeKit is loaded with inventive features.

As for the abilities of the HomeKit, Apple has cleverly referred to the applications within the HomeKit as “Skills and Actions." However, unlike its competitors, Apple has closed the HomeKit system which means it is safer and less prone to hackers. This means that developers must have all of their skills and actions approved by Apple before they are released to wider audiences. As a result, skills and actions should be polished and adhere to Apple’s strict code of conduct. As the HomeKit continues to expand, Apple will retain the ability to preserve the safety of its users. Overall, it means that the HomeKit creates a more secure network which will both protect your privacy and increase the reliability of different HomeKit elements working well together.

How HomeKit Works

As for accessing the HomeKit, Apple developed an iOS-only application known as Home which is the all-in-one spot for you to pair, control, and assign devices to function in your house. This means that Android users will not be able to control Apple connected devices from their phones. Here, inside of the Home application, you can craft your own scenes which may order the HomeKit to turn on certain lights, play music, turn-up the thermostat, or even open your garage door. The choices are nearly endless, and you can play with your internet-connected devices until you are content.

Adding Devices to Your HomeKit

HomeKit can control a wide variety of smart devices. For example, Doorbells, Speakers, Humidifiers, Air Purifiers, Window Blinds, Lights, and even TVs are connectable to the HomeKit. Apple maintains a comprehensive list on their web page for Home Accessories, and more devices are being released all the time. When you are shopping for devices, you can look for a “Works with Apple HomeKit” label on the package.

In order to add devices to your HomeKit ecosystem, you have to scan a unique code in the Home app. We have found that this pairing process is seamless, smooth, and fast, and you can tell that Apple worked hard to make sure that the process is easy to understand. The instructions are clear and connecting third-party devices is straightforward. Once they have been paired, you can assign compatible devices to rooms as well as the actions that will control them. The mobile app’s interface is clean with simple drop-down menus and a small set of configurable options. As a result, the toned-down application ensures that your devices will function properly and will not be difficult to install.

The Apple HomeKit is truly the perfect synthesis of all of Apple’s products. Your phone and Siri will smoothly pair, and the Home app will enable you to control every aspect of your home directly from your smartphone. Over the coming months, the Apple HomeKit will continue to grow in its capabilities as Apple releases more skills and actions. The prevalence of internet-connected devices is just now beginning, and as more products are released, we can only imagine what you may be able to control with your HomeKit. By beginning to learn how to use this device early on, it will maximize your ability to get the most from your internet-connected devices and begin making your home smarter.