With Apple's annual Worldwide Developer's Conference (WWDC) approaching, the iPhone and iPad maker might shift attention on "smart homes" for the "smart" devices.

Apple's iDevices have made it possible to start phone calls, track time and health, play music, check the weather, flashlight, calculate numbers, and more, but it could become a remote control for appliances usually seen in households. In an effort to indulge itself with the "internet of things," Apple is reportedly preparing a new software platform for gadgets such as an iPhone to power household devices with the aim of further rivaling Google and Samsung's footprint in the smart home technology market.

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With the 2014 WWDC set to start on June 2, Apple could announce its "smart home" push. One example, as outlined by The Financial Times, could give the consumer the ability to turn on a home's lights via a wireless signal from an iPhone.

An Apple patent further strengthened the company's possible push in the "smart home" market. In November 2013, patent No. 8,577,392 showcased how a relay server can receive information regardless of a person's location courtesy of a transmitting device.

"Manual operation of some devices has recently been replaced with automatic operations," stated the patent, with inventor credits given to Raghunandan Pai and Timothy Hurley. "For example, a person can set a schedule controlling the heating or cooling of his house. The automatic operations of devices free people from needing to repeatedly adjust device controls. Further, a device can be adjusted to a setting such that the device is at the desired state at a desired time."

Related Article: Apple's Smart Home, WWDC 2014 Predictions and Rumor Roundup: What to Expect From Apple's 2-Hour Long Keynote

Apple investing in smart devices or smart homes may be a result of Google's acquisition of Next Labs, Inc. in January. Google has credited Nest for reinventing vital home devices such as smoke alarms and thermostats since its 2011 launch. The Nest Learning Thermostat has been publicized as a "consistent best seller" while the company lately launched the Protect, a dual smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarm.

Google had originally tried to make an imprint in the "smart home" market at the Google I/O conference in 2011. Known as Android @Home, it was Google's effort at the "Internet of Things" mixed with a home entertainment initiative.

"Back then, the company painted a picture of a world in which all kinds of household appliances were connected to a home gateway controlled by Android devices," reported BusinessWeek's Janko Roettgers. "One of the first devices coming to market was supposed to be an Android-connected LED light bulb. The bulb was supposed to be manufactured by Lighting Science (LSCG) and come to market by the end of 2011."

The bulb never came and future concepts for Android @Home fizzled.

If Apple manages to succeed where Android @Home tripped, the iPhone maker could encounter privacy concerns. The Financial Times reported Apple will like "emphasise the privacy protections" that are built into the smart home system.

An Apple spokesperson declined to comment.

Apple's presence in the "smart home" market is not new as its retail stores have sold numerous related devices such as Dropcam wireless camera, Philips' Hue lightbulbs, Belkin WeMo switches, and even Nest thermostats, to name a few. The aforementioned devices, however, require a separate iPhone app for control.

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

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