Homebuilding company KB Home today announced "the nation's first HomeKit-enabled community," which comes with the opportunity for buyers to build homes with Apple's HomeKit platform integrated from the get-go. A report last month brought news that Apple was working with homebuilders to install HomeKit and the Apple ecosystem of connected devices into properties at the beginning of construction.

Now the Promenade at Communications Hill in San Jose will be the first community of homes to include a HomeKit smart package that buyers can purchase. Following the debut in San Jose, the packages will also be available for curious home buyers at KB Home's Magnolia at Patterson Ranch community.

homekit-homes

A few exterior models of the homes in San Jose

As detailed in the original report, the smart homes utilize HomeKit at the beginning of a home's construction to install products like lights, window blinds, garage doors, doorbells, and more at added cost, so the homeowners don't have to add them gradually over time. In one of the test homes displayed in Alameda, California, a total of $30,000 worth of smart products fueled the smart package.

A model home showcasing how KB homeowners can simply and securely monitor and control Apple HomeKit-compatible accessories, such as lighting, door locks and other security features, and more, conveniently from their iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch, is now open at Promenade at Communications Hill.

Designed with today's tech-savvy buyer in mind, Promenade at Communications Hill offers convenient city living close to San Jose's shopping, dining, nightlife and cultural attractions, as well as to the area's major Silicon Valley employers. The community also provides easy access to Interstates 880, 680 and U.S. Highway 101.

KB Home said that the plans available at the Promenade community range in size from 2,148 to 2,178 square feet, with the option to choose up to five bedrooms, four baths, and a two-car garage. Pricing on the properties begin in the low-$900,000s, which seemingly doesn't include the smart package expenses.

Top Rated Comments

BerMuc Avatar
92 months ago
The real bad news is the homes start at $900,000!!!! That's insane!!!! Thank god I don't live there
Funny, my first thought was that it's kinda cheap for the area...
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cmd-Z Avatar
92 months ago
The bad news is that it will be soldered to the home motherboard and not user-replaceable. /s
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
craigsharp Avatar
92 months ago
The bad news is that it will be soldered to the home motherboard and not user-replaceable. /s
The real bad news is the homes start at $900,000!!!! That's insane!!!! Thank god I don't live there
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
now i see it Avatar
92 months ago
Really really bad idea. Apple cans technologies all the time. Welcome to the disposable home. Now fans can not only drink the kook aid, they can live in it.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrX8503 Avatar
92 months ago
Really really bad idea. Apple cans technologies all the time. Welcome to the disposable home. Now fans can not only drink the kook aid, they can live in it.
A prerequisite of mine when buying smart products is that it must work with physical switches.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
smirking Avatar
92 months ago
Funny, my first thought was that it's kinda cheap for the area...
Something is very wrong when housing just under a million is considered a budget option.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 17

26 New Things Your iPhone Can Do With Next Month's iOS 17.2 Update

Wednesday November 22, 2023 10:57 pm PST by
Apple made the first beta of iOS 17.2 available to developers in October. Since then we've seen two more betas, and with each iteration Apple continues to add more new features and changes, many of which users have been anticipating for quite a while. Below, we've listed 26 new things that are coming to your iPhone when the finalized version is publicly released in December. 1. Help You...
Apple Watch Series 9

5 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's Apple Watch

Friday November 24, 2023 3:46 am PST by
With all the discounted deals on Apple tech currently available, you might be thinking about upgrading your Apple Watch or buying one for the first time. But if your current smartwatch is doing its job just fine and it's only the idea of a good deal that's piqued your interest, it could be worth holding out until next year when Apple unveils its latest and greatest version. There are already ...
General Black Friday Deals 2022 Green

40+ Apple Black Friday Deals Still Available for AirPods, iPhone, iPad and More

Friday November 24, 2023 5:01 am PST by
Black Friday 2023 has officially ended, but we're still tracking some of the best deals of the year on Apple products like AirPods, iPad, iPhone, MacBook, and many more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Specifically, in this article we're...
Cyber Monday Deals Feature 2022

40+ Apple Cyber Monday Deals for AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and More

Sunday November 26, 2023 9:47 am PST by
Cyber Monday has taken the place of Black Friday, and you'll find many of the same deals still around today. This includes dozens of record low prices on Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, iPhone, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the...
ipad mini 2021 youtube

What to Expect From the Next iPad Mini Later in 2024

Friday November 24, 2023 1:00 pm PST by
Over 800 days have passed since Apple last updated the iPad mini, as outlined in the MacRumors Buyer's Guide. Fortunately, a new iPad mini is rumored to be released next year, and we have outlined what to expect from the device below. Apple released the current iPad mini in September 2021, with new features at the time including a larger 8.3-inch display, a USB-C port, a Touch ID power...