CES 2015 Dates: Conference Debuts 3 Apple HomeKit Smart Devices That Allow Users to Control Appliances, Doors and Garages With Siri [Video]
At The International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) on Monday, iDevices, with partners Schlage and Chamberlain, unveiled three new home automation devices that control home appliances, lights, door locks and garage doors. All of the devices are compatible with Apple's HomeKit.
Home automation has been a fixture of sci-fi movies and television shows like "The Jetsons" for decades. In the New Millennium, we are finally seeing the fantastic possibilities of home automation devices come to life.
Apple has been an innovator in the home automation market. The company launched HomeKit in 2014 as "a framework in iOS 8 for communicating with and controlling connected accessories in a user's home."
"You can enable users to discover HomeKit accessories in their home and configure them, or you can create actions to control those devices," the company said at the time. "Users can group actions together and trigger them using Siri."
Apple's iDevices has released gadgets for use with HomeKit, such as iShower2, iGrill Mini and Pro Candy Probe. These products have been exclusively for use in the kitchen and bath.
Switch
iDevices is launching Switch, a plug that enables your iPhone to control your home appliances, lights and more. It works right out of the box -- simply plug the product into the device and plug the device into a wall electrical outlet. No hub is required.
You use your iPhone to control products, rooms or your entire home by voice command. For example, you can say, "Siri, turn on the living room lights at 6 p.m." The iPhone then securely shares network information with your Switch. Switch is expected to launch the first half of 2015. The Verge reports the device will cost $49.99.
Schlage Sense
Schlage, the 95-year-old lock manufacturer, has teamed up with iDevices to offer its first Bluetooth-enabled smart lock system called Schlage Sense. Schlage showcased the smart lock at CES.
Homeowners use their iPhone to command Siri to unlock their doors through the lock's integration with HomeKit. Schlage Sense comes equipped with a touch-pad in case your iPhone dies. If all else fails, an old-fashioned key can be used with the lock, too. The retail price has not been announced as the product release is pending.
MyQ Garage
Chamberlain, a manufacturer of residential and commercial door and gate access control systems, debuted its Wi-Fi garage door control system, MyQ Garage, at CES. The device allows you to control and monitor your garage door from anywhere, at any time. It works with most garage door openers manufactured after 1993. If you suddenly realize at the office that you left your garage door open, simply ask Siri to close your garage door. Problem solved. The device is available for $129.99.
Check Latin Post for more CES 2015 updates. The trade show continues until Jan. 9.
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