A recent report by The Financial Times say that Apple is now
working on expanding the reach and functionality of its iPhones with home
automation. Similar to LG’s Homechat and other initiatives from Google and
Samsung, the Cupertino company is working on ways to allow the iPhone to
communicate with other appliances in the home.
The new functionality should allow users to control certain
home features including lighting, security systems and other appliances. Just
like in its MFP (Made for iPhone) program, Apple will be working with various
appliance manufacturers in order for the home automation features to be
seamlessly and successfully implemented in different products.
NFC will likely be the mode of connection between the phone
and the appliances, although Bluetooth (via Apple’s iBeacon) and Wi-Fi is still
not out of the picture. The report did not mention if the feature will work
with existing and past iPhone models or if it will only work on future iPhones.
The company’s annual developer conference WWDC is slated to
happen next month, so there’s a good chance that details of this “Smart Home” project
will be mentioned in the event.
