Hardware manufacturers are now totally free to create smart home gadgets that play nice with Apple’s HomeKit platform in iOS 8.
On Wednesday, Apple published the final technical specifications for the platform under its Made for iPhone (MFi) licensing platform.
The specs had previously been available in beta mode to Apple’s MFi program partners, but publishing the finalised specs could open the floodgates for OEMs to press ahead on HomeKit projects.
9to5Mac reports Apple has included the specifications for pairing devices via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and the security settings required to safeguard those connections between HomeKit accessories.
“The HomeKit Accessory Protocol currently includes accessory profiles for controlling a specific set of home automation products including fans, garage doors, lightbulbs, locks, power outlets, binary switches, and thermostats,” the report states.
Apple has a MFi conference in China next month, where we could see the first crop of HomeKit enabled devices announced.
Just yesterday we brought word that the latest Apple TV software beta had enabled HomeKit on the set-top box, prompting speculation the set-top box could eventually become a key command centre for the connected home.
Read more: Apple to launch own HomeKit hardware?