to HomeKit for 2021, and though a dedicated
operating system known as homeOS leaked
and went unannounced at the event,
HomeKit did receive a dedicated section of the
WWDC keynote. As part of iOS 15, Siri can now
control HomeKit-enabled devices at a certain
time. For example, you can ask Siri to turn of
your bathroom light in ten minutes or pause
your living room TV if you leave the room
to grab some snacks. This allows for a more
natural conversation with Siri and makes it
easier to control smart devices and appliances,
even if you’re not around.
Apple set a new precedent when it announced
CarKey in 2020, and this year it’s taking keys to
new levels with HomeKey, which lives inside
of the Wallet app. When using a supported
HomeKit lock, users will be able to approach
their door and use a virtual key in the Wallet
app to unlock it. You don’t need to open the
Home app, and you can even ask Siri to unlock
your door for you. The feature is also coming
to Apple Watch as part of watchOS 8, and it’s
thought hotels and businesses can also take
advantage of the new contactless key feature.
HomeKit Secure Video has been given
some love in iOS 15, with HomeKit not only
identifying people and animals but packages.
Package Detection is ideal if you’re waiting for
an important package - Apple will send you a
notiication that your package has arrived, and
you can then go home or ask your kids to bring
it indoors. With the introduction of iCloud+,
users on the 2TB plan can access an unlimited
number of cameras, so you can monitor your
entire property - and indeed other properties if
you own more than one - from your iPhone.