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Apple 'Excited' About HomeKit Partners Despite Slow Rollout

Friday January 23, 2015 10:04 am PST by Juli Clover
It's been more than six months since Apple first introduced HomeKit at its June 2014 Worldwide Developers Conference, but HomeKit-compatible products have yet to hit store shelves and may not do so until this spring, almost a year after Apple first detailed its home automation system.

HomeKit's launch has gone slower than expected, and according to sources that spoke to Re/code, the two major reasons were a "slower-than-expected" launch of the HomeKit MFi program, which began in November, and the late launch of chip specifications, which weren't sent out to chip makers until October. Apple's high performance standards for hardware manufacturers and chip makers are also said to be a factor.

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Elgato's upcoming line of HomeKit-compatible products

January's Consumer Electronics Show saw the debut of several HomeKit-compatible products, including the iDevices smart plug, Elgato's range of connected home devices, and the Schlage Sense smart lock, all of which may begin hitting store shelves in a few months. Apple gave a statement to Re/code on the upcoming HomeKit products, expressing the company's excitement.
"We are excited to have a growing number of partners committed to bringing HomeKit products to market, including several announced at CES," said Apple spokesperson Trudy Muller. "HomeKit offers a set of common protocols making it easier for customers to control HomeKit-enabled accessories using Siri or iOS apps. HomeKit is built on a secure foundation with end-to-end encryption which provides customers a secure connection between their iPhone or iPad and HomeKit accessory. "
HomeKit was announced more than six months ago, but many details about the home automation platform remain murky on the consumer end. It is not quite clear if and how it will interface with existing products or if consumers will be expected to purchase all new connected home items to take advantage of HomeKit. Details about the HomeKit MFi specification that leaked out earlier this week, however, suggest few existing products will be able to be used with HomeKit.


Tag: HomeKit
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Maflagulator
54 months ago

HomeKit's launch has gone slower than expected....major reasons were a "slower-than-expected" launch of the HomeKit MFi program....



Written by the Department of Redundancy Department....?
Rating: 26 Votes
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CoMoMacUser
54 months ago
I forgot all about HomeKit.
Rating: 9 Votes
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Stridder44
54 months ago
I'll be excited too when they finally refresh the flipping Apple TV
Rating: 6 Votes
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bpeeps
54 months ago
Still mad Logitech's Harmony remotes don't support HomeKit.
Rating: 5 Votes
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CrazyForApple
54 months ago
And why isn't Apple making their own HomeKit stuff?
Rating: 5 Votes
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iBlazed
54 months ago

Apple's high performance standards for hardware manufacturers and chip makers are also said to be a factor.


It's sad that these hardware manufacturers and chip makers don't have their own high performance standards.

"Gee, if only Apple could lower their standards and allow us to release half baked products we would have them on the market much sooner!" :rolleyes:
Rating: 4 Votes
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MisterK
54 months ago
No compelling use cases. Every time this connected home/Internet of Things stuff is explained it's my home knowing I'm coming from work and starting the kettle or putting my tv on. These aren't problems that need solving. Steve Jobs once said that when you're introducing a new thing it can't just be better; it has to be 10x better. Flicking a light switch or unlocking the door are so low friction that it makes it impossible for something to be 10x better. I don't need a thermostat to learn. I'll turn it up when I feel cold and down when I'm warm.
Rating: 4 Votes
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luckydcxx
54 months ago

Can't tell if joking


No, I don't want Bose, nest, Phillips, assure link, and August to all be separate apps to control my devices. I would like to pull down the notification center and be able to switch on and off what I want.
Rating: 4 Votes
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CausticSoda
54 months ago

And why isn't Apple making their own HomeKit stuff?


Probably because they hardly seem able to keep up with producing and updating their basic product lines.
Rating: 3 Votes
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TonyC28
54 months ago

No compelling use cases. Every time this connected home/Internet of Things stuff is explained it's my home knowing I'm coming from work and starting the kettle or putting my tv on. These aren't problems that need solving. Steve Jobs once said that when you're introducing a new thing it can't just be better; it has to be 10x better. Flicking a light switch or unlocking the door are so low friction that it makes it impossible for something to be 10x better. I don't need a thermostat to learn. I'll turn it up when I feel cold and down when I'm warm.


This! Some of these things are cool and the nerd in me makes me want them just for that. But the practical side of me totally wins out because none of this stuff is required. You're exactly right...these products offer "solutions" to problems that don't exist. And until they become so cheap that we don't give it a second thought I don't think people will take them seriously.
Rating: 3 Votes

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