Anyone paying attention to the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas will have immediately seen that there is a strong focus on wearables, home automation and Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Intelligent devices that consumers can wear or interact with has been a growing market that has exploded over the last eighteen months. Now, thanks to the likes of Apple’s HomeKit standards, home automation tech is on the rise. This year’s CES has thrown up some excellent HomeKit-enabled products that will likely find themselves extremely popular in the 2016 smart home.
iDevices HomeKit Accessories
iDevices isn’t a stranger to the world of home automation and supporting Apple’s HomeKit. It comes as no surprise that the company has made an appearance at CES 2016 to announce the iDevices Socket, Wall Switch, Dimmer Switch, and Wall Outlet. All of the aforementioned introductions offer HomeKit compatibility, meaning that they can be controlled via Siri or directly through the iDevices’ Connected app that’s available for iPhone and iPad touch via the App Store.
The iDevices Socket, which affords smart home owners with the ability to control standard light bulbs with dimming and LED nightlight functionality, will go on sale in the first three months of 2016. The Wall Switch and Dimmer Switch are essentially extremely smart, connected light switches that mount onto the wall and offer HomeKit compatibility. They will ship in Q2 of 2016. Finally, Q3 will see the iDevices Wall Outlet making an appearance. This can be controlled both via Siri and the Connected app and essentially allows power to be controlled to the dual outlets.
Hunter Fan HomeKit-Enabled Ceiling Fans
CES 2016 has also thrown up the introduction of the first ever HomeKit-enabled ceiling fan as shown off by the Hunter Fan Company. The newly introduced Symphony and Signal ceiling fans are the company’s first ever connected products, and the first products of this nature to actually support Apple’s HomeKit protocols. Both gadgets connect to a property’s Wi-Fi network and are then able to be controlled through voice commands via Siri, as well as interface with other HomeKit-enabled products, such as intelligent light systems and thermostats.
The modern looking Symphony will ship in the Spring of this year for $329. The Signal option, which offers a wood-finished design with nickel surroundings will ship at the same time for $379.
Honeywell HomeKit-Enabled Lyric Round Thermostat
Intelligent thermostats are pretty much what kicked off the smart home revolution. Certainly on a standard consumer level anyway. The now Google-owned Nest was one of the first to revolutionize that particular space. Manufacturing giant Honeywell has now thrown its hat into the ring with its first ever Apple HomeKit-enabled device, the second-generation Lyric Round Thermostat. Like most devices of this nature, the Honeywell Lyric Round will connect to a wireless network, which then enables it to be controlled through Siri or the dedicated mobile app.
The design of the hardware is essentially identical to its predecessor with a a round body finished off in gorgeous polished glass. There’s a touchscreen interface and motion-sensing lighting that brings the hardware to life when it detects movement. Honeywell will ship the HomeKit-enabled Lyric Round 2 at the end of January with pre-orders starting right now for $249.99.
Kwikset Premis
This is the company’s first door lock with support for Apple’s HomeKit. What this essentially means is that you can unlock or lock your door with your voice using Siri. In addition to that, you can obviously unlock or lock the door using a dedicated mobile app. Apple TV and Apple Watch are also said to be supported.
Kwikset Premis will be available for purchase later this year.
iHome iSP8 SmartPlug
iHome has announced iSP8 which is basically a successor to last year’s iSP5 model. Just like the first-gen model, iSP8 SmartPlug is HomeKit compatible but unlike the first model, this one comes with an additional remote control and the ability to monitor power consumption of devices plugged into it.
You can follow us on Twitter, add us to your circle on Google+ or like our Facebook page to keep yourself updated on all the latest from Microsoft, Google, Apple and the Web.
