Apple Lays Out Requirements for HomeKit Setup in Low-Profile Website Section

Although consumer searches for HomeKit at Apple’s online store produce no results for consumers looking for information about buying into the platform or products, Apple has tucked information into a support section where consumers can find out what’s coming. A company spokesman steered us to a “smaller page” devoted to HomeKit information prior to wider availability of product. The spokesman confirmed that the Lutron’s Caseta Lighting Starter Kit is the only HomeKit-enabled product in Apple brick-and-mortar stores currently (see 1506020048). The ecobee thermostat will hit Apple brick-and-mortar stores in early July, he said, and Elgato sensors will begin selling through the online store in July. The spokesman also confirmed that Apple TV (third generation or later running software version 7.0 or later) is required for consumers who want to use Siri to control their HomeKit devices while outside of the home network. At the support page, Apple says an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch with iOS 8.1 later is required to get started with HomeKit and “one or more HomeKit-enabled accessories.” Today, that’s the Lutron kit for its Caseta wireless smart bridge. Over the next few months, the Lutron lighting products will be joined by the ecobee thermostat, iHome smart plug, Insteon hub and Elgato room, energy, weather and door/window sensors, but the Web page doesn’t provide availability dates.