--- description: The tech company’s new smart home system isn’t reliable, and needs more time to reach its full potential title: Apple's HomeKit Is Promising, But It Needs More Work image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production --- * [Business](/section/business/) ## Business Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Tech](/tag/time-section-tech/) ## Tech Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Apple's HomeKit Is Promising, But It Needs More Work by [Jason Cipriani / Fortune](/author/fortune/) ## Jason Cipriani / Fortune Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jun 29, 2015 3:20 PM CUT by [Jason Cipriani / Fortune](/author/fortune/) ## Jason Cipriani / Fortune Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jun 29, 2015 3:20 PM CUT One year after Apple announced plans to launch its home automation platform HomeKit, the company’s first certified products are now being shipped to customers around the world. HomeKit puts Apple in the middle of an ever-growing, and increasingly competitive home automation market. Tech rival Google is in the midst of building its own platform called [Brillo](https://developers.google.com/brillo/ "undefined"), while [Belkin’](http://www.belkin.com/us/ "undefined")s WeMo system has created smart household appliances ranging from air conditioners to crock pots. HomeKit works by using Siri (Apple’s digital assistant) to control and monitor homes using third-party gadgets, and in the past has been plagued by delays, [rumors](http://fortune.com/2015/05/14/apple-delays-homekit-launch/ "undefined"), and [criticism from vendors](http://fortune.com/2015/06/09/ceo-apple-homekit-mess/ "undefined"). However, that’s all changed now with manufacturers Insteon and Lutron ready to ship their HomeKit-certified products, and smart gadgets from [Ecobee](https://www.ecobee.com/2015/06/ecobee-announces-worlds-first-homekit-enabled-smart-thermostat/ "undefined") and [Phillips Hue](https://www.facebook.com/huePhilips/videos/684021741729713/ "undefined") set to hit retail shelves in the near future. Unlike other home automation services, Apple requires companies create products that are compatible with its mobile operating system in order to ensure compatibility and provide end-to-end encryption, which prevents the system from being hacked. Over the past week, I’ve tested out Lutron’s $230 [Caseta Wireless](http://www.casetawireless.com/Pages/Caseta.aspx "undefined") HomeKit system. The bundle includes a Smart Bridge, which acts as a wireless hub to connect the system to the Internet, along with two plug-in lamp dimmers and two stand-alone remotes for the dimmers. Although Lutron already makes smart devices for the home, users who want to use Siri to manage those products will have to purchase a new Smart Bridge. The initial setup process for the system was simple and consisted of installing the Lutron app on my iPhone, plugging the Smart Bridge into my wireless router, and following a series of prompts within the app. HomeKit is activated using the “Siri Integration” option in the app’s menu. Within the app’s setting page, you simply label your home, rooms and identify which items you’d like to control. A few minutes after you’ve saved the new settings, you can then start controlling your home through a series of commands. Users simply have to push a small button on their iPhone, give an order, and watch as the request is immediately fulfilled. Automation solutions have long made it possible to turn lights off or on with other apps, but this will be the first time consumers will be able to wirelessly communicate with appliances using Apple’s iOS In order to control appliances from outside the home, consumers will need to own a Apple TV (3rd generation or later) that shares the same iCloud account as their other iOS devices. For those without an Apple TV, users can still rely on the Lutron app (at least, that’s what I found, with my setup). In its current state, HomeKit is far from the polished product one would expect to see from Apple. For instance, you need to follow a very specific HomeKit voice command protocol, [laid out by Apple](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204893 "undefined"), in order for Siri to understand verbal requests. A simple command of “turn off my lights” is recognized without issue. However, “control my lights” or any similar variations will result in an Internet search, because Siri can’t understand the instruction, which is disappointing. If you’re already deeply invested in Apple’s other products, buying HomeKit accessories won’t hurt your bank account. The service’s functionality is a bit limited with iOS 8, but the release of iOS 9 this fall will bring more advanced commands and support for more accessories, such as motion sensors. For example, later in the year consumers will be able to use their Apple Watch to communicate with HomeKit devices, instead of relying solely on an iPhone (or iPad). Additionally, you’ll be able to trigger your thermostat based on multiple variables such as time and location, instead of just one variable as it is now. HomeKit was meant to improve the user experience and offer a secure method for managing accessories and smartphone apps, but needs more work if it’s to successfully compete with other companies in the market. _This_ [_article_](http://fortune.com/2015/06/29/apple-homekit-review/ "undefined") _originally appeared on_ [_Fortune.com_](http://www.fortune.com "undefined") ### This Is How Apple Teases All Its Huge Announcements  iTunes launch on Windows, October 2003 Apple  iPod Nano, September 2005 Apple  5th Generation iPod, October 2005 Apple  iTunes 7 with movies, September 2006 Apple  iPhone, January 2007 Apple  iPod Touch, September 2007 Apple  MacBook Air, January 2008 Apple  App Store & iPhone 3G, June 2008 Apple  2nd Generation iPod Touch, September 2008 Apple  iPhone 3GS, June 2009 Apple  3rd Generation iPod Touch, September 2009 Apple  iPad, January 2010 Apple  iPhone 4, June 2010 Apple  4th Generation iPod Touch, September 2010 Apple  MacBooks with unibody design, September 2010 Apple  2nd Generation MacBook Air, October 2010 Apple  iPad 2, March 2011 Apple  iCloud & iOS 5, June 2011 Apple  iPhone 4S, October 2011 Apple  iBooks 2 & iBooks Author, January 2012 Apple  3rd Generation iPad, March 2012 Apple  MacBook Pro with Retina display, June 2012 Apple  iPhone 5, September 2012 Apple  iPad Mini, October 2012 Apple  iPhone 5S & iPhone 5C, September 2013 Apple  iPad Air & iPad Mini with Retina display, October 2013 Apple  iPhone 6 & iPhone 6 Plus & iOS 8, September 2014 Apple  iPad Air 2 & iPad Mini 3 & Apple Pay, October 2014 Apple  Apple Watch, March 2015 Apple ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/3939927/apple-homekit-review/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/3939927/apple-homekit-review/"},"headline":"Apple's HomeKit Is Promising, But It Needs More Work","datePublished":"2015-06-29T15:20:52.000Z","dateModified":"2026-05-11T04:44:38.884Z","description":"The tech company’s new smart home system isn’t reliable yet","url":"https://time.com/3939927/apple-homekit-review/","keywords":["Tech","Apple","Gadgets","Reviews"],"thumbnailUrl":"","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Jason Cipriani / Fortune"}],"articleSection":"Business","image":[],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/business/","name":"Business"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/time-section-tech/","name":"Tech"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/3939927/apple-homekit-review/","name":"Apple's HomeKit Is Promising, But It Needs More Work"}}]}] ```