Apple Opens HomeKit Development Code

Following the news released yesterday (18/12) that the Apple would join other technology giants (such as the Google and the Amazon) in order to create a single standard for smart home appliances, the company decided to take the first step towards expanding (and “opening up”) the HomeKit.

As reported by Ma itself, parts of the HomeKit Accessory Development Kit (ADK) development package were published on GitHub as a way to expand the code to even more developers.

Apple opened HomeKit's ADK today. The codes are very good if you want to add embedding HomeKit to some system. github/apple/HomeKitADK

According to Apple, the release of HomeKit code is intended to “accelerate the development of the new universal standard for home devices” exactly to create the coalition announced yesterday.

HomeKit has grown to become the most extensive, powerful and secure smart home platform available on over 1 billion iOS and iPadOS devices. Created from the beginning to protect customer data, HomeKit and the Home app (Home) use innovative privacy technologies and techniques to help minimize the amount of data anyone including Apple can access, as well as powerful security features that protect personal information. By opening the source code for HomeKit technology, Apple will help launch the initiative and ultimately provide an even better customer experience.

In practice, this means that anyone can start developing smart home accessories and even building devices to integrate HomeKit. However, it is important to note that this alone does not give developers permission to market these technologies or products, as this requires being a participant in the MFi program.

The decision represents great news for users who have always complained about how restricted HomeKit support was (despite its constant expansion). We will see if even more products and devices will now be compatible with framework in gadgets Apple's smart home, and hopefully with those of other manufacturers.

via AppleInsider