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APPLE IS READYING a move into the ‘internet of things’ as it prepares to enter the smart home market.
The company is said to be preparing a new software platform that would turn the iPhone into a remote control for lights, security systems and other household appliances, the Financial Times reports.
The move would place it in direct competition with Samsung, Google and LG who offer their own collection of smart devices designed for the home.
The integrated system will allow users to set up and control ‘smart home’ devices through their iPhone, and will be revealed at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) which is taking place next week in San Francisco.
Apple has been in discussion with a select group of device makers whose smart home products will be certified to work with its forthcoming new system. These products will be sold in its retail store, an area Apple hopes will play a key role in its plans to enter this market.
One of the major features the company will push is privacy, in light of users’ concerns about what information companies have access to. Apple may also provide additional checks and assurances that certified products are not vulnerable to hackers.
Apple already sell a number of smart home products in its store, including Nest thermostats in its US store, which was acquired by Google for $3.2 billion back in January, and Philips Hue smartbulbs.
However, the industry is still very much in its infancy with some people concerned about how much information companies would have on them if they used any of these products.
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Sure just ring the wife and tell her to cook dinner, do the ironing, washing, etc ,etc.
(And that’s why I’m single.)
I got rid of my smart phone months ago as a result of the poor battery life. Got myself a old Nokia 6310i. I charge it once a week, makes calls and texts, happy out now and alot of the stress associated with poor battery lifes is no more…
What Apple need to do is sort out the battery life on the iPhone.if they start using the phones to turn lights on n off, make Tay n all the rest sure the battery won’t last pissintime
The phone is hardly boiling the kettle! Nor is it supplying electricity for the light!
Totally agree. They made the iPhone 5 thinner, why why why, use the space for more batteries it wasn’t that fat.
I always have terrible problems with the iphone battery.
It all started in 2012 when I tried to bui
Will that means more ads? Will we be reminded of the hottest deals down the supermarket every time we go to our “smart fridges”?
Nope – you’re thinking of Google. They have already announced that they will be bringing ads to their Neat acquisition. This is why I don’t do Google products.
I thought apple would probably do it as well no?
I thought Apple would probably do the same no?.
I thought they specifically said that is statement didn’t include Nest?
No Google is the one who ads – that’s where they make their money. Apple makes their money from the hardware.
@angelic of course this will happen with all providers eventually. Advertising is another source of income for these companies so there is no way they will lose out by not doing it.
Google makes their money from advertising alright.
But Nest have already said that their will be no advertising on their product.
Do Apple not make money from both?
No Paperboy,
Apple are a Hardware and software company.
Google are a marketing company
The battery life of the 5S is apparently greatly improved.
However I’m on my 4th 5 owing to repeated battery failure. Shocking given my previous iPhones never skipped a beat.
I’d take a slightly thicker phone if I could get more than 4 hours without plugging it in! My iPad works for nearly a day and its going on 4 years old now.
One big disadvantage about IPhone is that you cannot remove the battery or replace it with an official heavier duty one…. You can get an genuine Samsung extended battery kit complete with slightly larger cover for the Galaxy ranges.
My bro just updated his own battery, iPhone 4 I believe.
I can confirm that the 5S battery is not improved. (Ironically the ’20% remaining’ just flashed up just this second!!)
My 5S is plugged in so often that it may as well be a landline.
Yea, but then you would be stuck with a Samsung. Will happily suffer a battery with less performance to reap all the other benefits. Just my biased opinion :-)
The NSA can now find out what time you switch off the lights, flush the jacks, close the fridge door, what you are watching on TV and what you are having for breakfast. No thanks.
There is something to be said for old Nokia push button phones.
Will it ever stop.
Frank, you need to move to a desert island.
Yeah, it’ll stop when people cop on and realise they don’t need Google to make a cup of tea, flush the toilet or tell them how much butter is in the fridge. I honestly don’t see the need for this type of “smart home”. If it starts to get nippy, don’t rely on Google or Apple to change the heating settings. Put on a flippin jumper. This is just an excuse for people to be lazy!
Cpm
The only way to get to a Desert Island safely without being traced by the NSA is to fly with Malaysian Airways..
Tut tut, Frank. Making light of an awful tragedy, not very Christian of you.
One of reasons I moved from Apple was no ability to swap battery.Now I have an external battery charger with second battery.Rather than habing to plug my Samsung in to charge, I just swap battery every day instead or carry the second one with me fully charged.
God.I’m just so great ,aren’t I !
Ireland’s answer to smart technology in the home…
The Mammy!
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