In practice: here's how to start and use HomeKit home automation with the iPhone

After long months of development for
manufacturers, the Apple version of home automation will perhaps take off.
So, yesterday we discovered a suite of products for the home"Eve"
Elgato pair, while other manufacturers have also releasedtheir solutions
home automation in parallel.

As we saw in the comments, the use of HomeKit still remains a
little mysterious and more precisely the role of the Apple TV in the device.
Good news, Apple has put a page online which describes precisely how
use a HomeKit accessory:

The pageis available
ici.

Here are the points to remember about these products which have the
label "HomeKit"on the packaging, indicating that they are
compatible with the solution implemented by Apple, in its current version
but also with its next developments.

Getting started:

• each product has its own application, has
  download from the App Store (example
  with Eve, the app is
  ici)

• Apple does not provide a global app like Health for HealthKit, but
  It’s Siri who will play this unifying role.

• HomeKit products must then be paired with the iPhone, to do this,
  a code is assigned to them, it must be displayed in the instructions and at this
  form: XXX-XX-XXX. This code must be entered in the application
  previously downloaded.

Order at home

To control the devices afterwards, it is possible at home

• to use Siri voice command. This can be for example "Set the
  temperature at 22 degrees" or "Turn off the light in the living room".

• to use the application

• to group devices (by zone, by room) and name them for
  only have one Siri command to send, but it depends on the possibilities
  offered by manufacturers, on a case-by-case basis.

Remote control

And if we leave the home, we are no longer within range of the devices... It is
still possible to control them remotely, thanks to theApple TV(necessary only
for this case):

• when you are far from home, therefore out of range of Bluetooth or
  WiFi, it ispossible to control your devices with a mobile connection
  type 3G/4GFor example. This is where the Apple TV comes into play (it
  is not necessary therefore for the control within range of the house) which serves as
  hub to receive instruction from the Internet (via 3G or 4G on the iPhone) and
  transfer it to the home automation device to be controlled.

• The Apple TV must be 3rd generation or… More recent (we are waiting
  
  an announcement [in the field next Monday)

• To do this, you must be connected to the iOS machine and to the Apple TV with
  the same Apple ID account

Also read:All our articles on
HomeKit iPhone and iPad home automation

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founder of the site. Computer engineer and Internet specialist where he has held various positions of responsibility, Laurent has been passionate about mobility since the arrival of "PDAs" in the 90s. Journalist for 4 years for the magazine Team Palmtops (Posse Presse) and author of several books on the iPad published by Pearson.