Apple is preparing some innovations for its HomeKit smart home system, which will come to devices with iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS 15. The works include support for new hardware as well as better settings options for HomeKit Home. The system will also be able to collect data from electricity and gas networks for the first time, although initially only in the United States.
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Define preferred home hub, integrate guests
it will be like that inside iOS 18 For the first time it will be possible to define a “preferred home hub”. Home hubs are the devices that connect the HomeKit network to the Internet and are required for remote control. These can be HomePod devices as well as Apple TV boxes, iPad Although – at least with the new Home Vastu – Not anymore. According to reports from iOS 18 beta testers, the Home app now includes a selection menu that allows the selection of a “preferred home hub”. It is then addressed by default. This can be helpful if one of the home hubs has better Wi-Fi coverage than the other, but HomeKit uses the home hub with less coverage. However, at the moment, this function only works with Apple TV devices, as Apple does not yet provide beta firmware for the HomePod (1 and 2) and HomePod mini.
Another new feature is “customize access”. This can be used to determine when a HomeKit guest can have access to certain devices such as door locks, garage openers or alarm systems. A new Express mode for door locks activates as you get closer – so you no longer have to hold your Apple Watch or iPhone near the lock. However, this is only possible if both the cell phone, watch and lock have ultra-wideband radios (UWB). The latter are still very rare.
More appliances supported – plus electric and gas
Apple now supports additional devices for HomeKit control. These include vacuum cleaner robots, including cleaning modes and mopping operations. (It is hoped that more matter data will be transmitted in the future.) Another new feature is the integration of data from electricity and gas networks.
Smart Keyboard Folio: Lightweight iPad Pro Keyboard Sold Out at AppleIn the United States, providers such as PG&E provide consumption information directly in the Home app. You can see your current consumption there. It is still unclear whether this feature will also come to Europe.
,B.Sc,
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