APPLE IN 2020For example, while several Apple devices – such as
the HomePod, Apple TV, and iPad – can act as smart
home hubs for the purposes of HomeKit automation,
none of those devices offer the ability to communicate
with Zigbee-based devices (say, the very popular Hue
bulbs) without a second intermediary hub. Apple could
choose to add Zigbee support into a next-generation
HomePod or Apple TV – as Amazon did with its Echo
Plus – thus eliminating the need for a separate hub
device on the network.
Likewise, Apple’s Home app is itself in need of
a makeover, especially now that more and more
consumers are taking advantage of HomeKit. A recent
proof of concept demonstrates some ways that the
company could improve its Home app to provide
better access to features and more customizability. The
Home app has remained largely unchanged since its
arrival in 2016, and it’s probably time for it to get some
updates to bring it into this new and exciting decade.
One place that Apple has led the charge in smart
home tech is security and privacy, with iOS 13 even
adding features such as letting security cameras record
locally rather than sending their video the cloud.
Here’s hoping that this is one place Apple rubs off on
its competitors, ensuring we all get the benefits of
smart home tech without the vulnerabilities in 2020
and beyond.APPLE IN 2020
Forexample,whileseveralAppledevices–suchas
theHomePod,AppleTV,andiPad–canactassmart
homehubsforthepurposesofHomeKitautomation,
noneofthosedevicesoffertheabilitytocommunicate
withZigbee-baseddevices(say,theverypopularHue
bulbs)withoutasecondintermediaryhub.Applecould
choosetoaddZigbeesupportintoanext-generation
HomePodorAppleTV–asAmazondidwithitsEcho
Plus–thuseliminatingtheneedforaseparatehub
deviceonthenetwork.
Likewise,Apple’sHomeappisitselfinneedof
amakeover,especiallynowthatmoreandmore
consumersaretakingadvantageofHomeKit.Arecent
proofofconceptdemonstratessomewaysthatthe
companycouldimproveitsHomeapptoprovide
betteraccesstofeaturesandmorecustomizability.The
Homeapphasremainedlargelyunchangedsinceits
arrivalin2016,andit’sprobablytimeforittogetsome
updatestobringitintothisnewandexcitingdecade.
OneplacethatApplehasledthechargeinsmart
hometechissecurityandprivacy,withiOS 13 even
addingfeaturessuchaslettingsecuritycamerasrecord
locallyratherthansendingtheirvideothecloud.
Here’shopingthatthisisoneplaceApplerubsoffon
its competitors,ensuringweallgetthebenefitsof
smarthometechwithoutthevulnerabilitiesin 2020
andbeyond.