Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
CES 2014: Air Conditioner Debuts as First Smart Appliance 'MFi Licensed' for iOS Compatibility
Chinese appliance manufacturer Haier today announced that it has become the first such company to be accepted into Apple's MFi licensing program to certify compatibility with iOS devices. Haier's Tianzun cabinet air conditioning unit is the first appliance to carry the MFi designation, with expansion to other Haier appliances coming in the future.
While smart appliances capable of being controlled through iOS devices are not new, a move by manufacturers to join Apple's MFi program may help give consumers confidence that the products meet Apple's standards for compatibility and functionality. The licensing program is already in wide use for such products as charging accessories, speaker docks, and more recently game controllers, but Haier's announcement today indicates that the program is poised for even greater adoption as the burgeoning market for connected home appliances continues to expand.
Haier's Tianzun air conditioner is the first air conditioner and white good [major appliance] that is authorized by Apple's MFi program. Haier will use this technology in the other Haier products, such as water heaters, ovens, intelligent home accessories and the like. Users will be able to complete the setup simply by connecting to WiFi. The live demonstration showed that Haier's air conditioner could match the phone automatically and the user could set up parameters for the air conditioner directly without registration, setup password or any other complicated and time-consuming operations when connected to WiFi. And that brings consumers a simple, efficient experience of using smart appliances.
While smart appliances capable of being controlled through iOS devices are not new, a move by manufacturers to join Apple's MFi program may help give consumers confidence that the products meet Apple's standards for compatibility and functionality. The licensing program is already in wide use for such products as charging accessories, speaker docks, and more recently game controllers, but Haier's announcement today indicates that the program is poised for even greater adoption as the burgeoning market for connected home appliances continues to expand.
[ 37 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
73 months ago
Awesome, 'till there is no internet.
Wifi doesn't need internet to work locally.
73 months ago
So does this mean that we will either have to buy a i0S or Android/Windows appliances?
I like smart appliances, but we seem to be putting the cart before the horse.
Shouldn't we create standards for connectivity to 'smart appliances' so that other platforms can control/monitor our appliances?
I like smart appliances, but we seem to be putting the cart before the horse.
Shouldn't we create standards for connectivity to 'smart appliances' so that other platforms can control/monitor our appliances?
73 months ago
What is a "white good"? Is that a trade name for appliances?
Nevermind. Google answered my question. Yep, trade name for appliances.
73 months ago
Marlon Brando lives!
my god! dirigible, blimp, secretary....... eat more donuts
73 months ago
I'm assuming these setups don't require a secondary app to function? I suppose that something in the lines of a miniature web server (in the same manner of routers/modems) would serve for easy compatibility... however if this requires a second app it will, like much of these technologies, sit in a folder as no more than a "gee whiz!" curiosity...
73 months ago
You need to open your eyes more... Re-read the post.
I am begging the ? to the audience - can Qualcomm make chipsets utilizing just GPS and not A-GPS?
This may be feasible sooner than later in the future... so that's why I "beg" the question now. If & when they do, this is a game changer - another reason why I beg the question at hand.
Do you understand? Also, your answer(s) make me believe you really don't have much further info on the subject matter. Re-read my post, then re-read yours again...
(By the way, Don't go 'broad' if you can't get into 'specifics'.)
Wow, why not just jump right on my neck and bite my ** head off with misguided condescension. Since we're giving out advice, here's some: Stop assuming.
Of course they bloody well can make a chipset that is not assisted. There have been gps watches for years for outdoors use. But who cares? Phones and smart watches need to be used all sorts of places. Indoors, where gps doesn't work because it needs line-of-sight. (I did type the wrong 'site' before, oops)
I won't even be looking to see if you answer.
73 months ago
We'd pay extra for such a thing ....
A fridge I can remotely lock/unlock? It'd pay for itself in a matter of only weeks, keeping the kids from raiding it before we get home from work each day!
A fridge I can remotely lock/unlock? It'd pay for itself in a matter of only weeks, keeping the kids from raiding it before we get home from work each day!
Imagine if this had been a 'Smart Internet-connected Digital Refrigerator' and you locked it with a password. Of course an internet-connected fridge NEEDS to be password-encrypted, just to make sure the NSA won't have an easy time having access to your leftover pizza and ice cream.
And then one day, you couldn't remember the password
. uh oh
[ Read All Comments ]
Taylor Swift revealed today on Instagram that she will be the next partner in Apple's "Music Lab" sessions, which are available in Apple retail stores.
The Music Lab session will...
Satechi today announced the Type-C Dual Multimedia Adapter, which plugs into two of the MacBook Pro's USB-C ports to offer a handful of add-on ports.
In total, this includes: one 4K HDMI...
Spotify today announced that it is extending its free-trial period for Spotify Premium to three months, up from the previous one month that users would have to try out the paid service. With this...
OtterBox today announced a new expandable wireless charging system that it calls "OtterSpot," which includes one charging base that can power up multiple batteries and a smartphone...
Apple appears to have ended U.S. online sales of its 'Designed By Apple in California' book, which chronicles 20 years of Apple product designs through 450 photographs.
A minisite...
T-Mobile appears to be experiencing a significant outage, with many T-Mobile customers unable to make calls or send text messages, reports TechCrunch.
Based on reports on Twitter and other...
Amid all the online chatter about Apple Card, you may have come across references to the "arbitration clause" in Apple's agreement, and how you should opt out of it if you intend to apply...
Over on our YouTube channel, we have an ongoing video series that's designed to highlight new, interesting, and useful iOS apps that we think are worth downloading and checking out
There are...
