HomeKit-connected accessories have become more and more affordable and have gradually increased their market presence since this technology was first introduced, but there is still room for improvement. Trying to remedy some of the problems with Apple's platform for connected homes, Silicon Labs just announced a new initiative that it hopes will make HomeKit accessories cheaper and easier for developers of this type to create. of products.
Silicon Labs' solution consists of two main parts: custom software that has been pre-tested and approved by Apple, and a hardware module with Bluetooth. Silicon Labs' protocol supporting Bluetooth 4.2 is crucial for HomeKit devices, as it provides low-energy connection support and more secure device pairing technology.
The first step in this process is for manufacturers to purchase the HomeKit Bluetooth SDK from Silicon Labs. Therefore, you must be an Apple MFI licensee in order to do so. If this requirement is met, there is no problem accessing it. Developing accessories based on Apple's HomeKit protocol and the necessary security technology may require multiple interoperability tests. Silicon Labs Bluetooth solution for Apple HomeKit has been pre-tested and certified by Apple and has passed certification testing for the HomeKit specification.
This pre-certification offers developers benefits when it comes to putting their products on the market. It also lessens engineering efforts and helps end-product vendors minimize risk by being able to access Apple-certified devices.
In addition, the software package provided by Silicon Labs offers developers a wide variety of tools that make it possible to generate code for HomeKit accessories and get them up and running in less than an hour. This includes Simplicity Studio v4, Energy Profiler, and many more.
The magnitude of this announcement is very important for the developers, but in reality in the end the benefits will fall on the users as well. With a much simpler and more affordable process of manufacturing HomeKit-compatible devices thanks to tools from Silicon Labs, accessory manufacturers will now be much more in agreement to support Apple's home automation platform. It is often the case that HomeKit is only reserved for more expensive devices and systems.
With the new native home app in iOS 10, Apple is starting to push HomeKit use into a more mainstream market. It has even begun to be seen in some countries how the manufacturers of houses begin to take this system into account when promoting the sale of their constructions. Increasing the adoption of the system by a majority of users, however, will require a wider variety of accessories, which are compatible and available at a lower price. Ideally, new hardware solutions + Silicon Labs SDK would speed up that process. To begin the process of acquiring the SDK (free) and purchasing the hardware, those interested can go to the Silicon Labs website itself.
With this announcement, it seems that the general public can finally hope that the use of HomeKit will become more popular and, above all, that accessories and electronic home control devices will lower their price and be more affordable for the average user. Today, the use of HomeKit is very, very limited and you have to have a wide pocket to be able to face the high price that accessories usually have. It would be good if the Silicon Labs solution were successful and its use spread among the vast majority of manufacturers.
