During its Worldwide Developers Conference 2016, Apple announced a dedicated iOS app, Home, for its smart home platform, HomeKit.
HomeKit debuted in 2014 but has struggled to gain traction with consumers and integrators as other platforms, including Amazon's Alexa and Google Home, recently stole the spotlight.
The Home app is deeply integrated into iOS, delivering a simple and secure way to set up, manage and control your home in one place. Accessories can be managed individually or grouped into scenes so they work together with a single command and can be controlled by using Siri. They can be managed remotely or set up for home automation with Apple TV, and can respond with automatic triggers set by time of day, location or action.
Support for HomeKit continues to expand globally with nearly 100 home automation products adopting HomeKit this year, bringing support for thermostats, lights, window shades, door locks, video cameras and more to the Home app. Later this year, leading home builders, including Brookfield Residential, KB Home, Lennar Homes and R&F Properties, will begin integrating many of these HomeKit devices into new homes.
The Home app will be available in iOS 10 this fall.