HomeKit in iOS 18 Includes Guest Access, Hands-Free Unlock, Electricity Usage Integration and More
HomeKit and the Home app weren't focused on much during Apple's WWDC keynote, but there are several new features that are coming in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia.
With Customize Access, you can manage how and when people can access your HomeKit devices like garage openers, alarm systems, and door locks. You can create guest schedules and specific accessories that your guests can use, limiting times that your home is accessible. A home hub is required for this feature.
You can enable Express Mode for unlocking door locks automatically as you approach with aniPhone or an Apple Watch, so you don't need to tap your device to the lock to get it to open. You'll need an iPhone or Apple Watch with an Ultra Wideband chip for this to work, along with an Ultra Wideband lock.
Later this year, Apple plans to add support for robot vacuum cleaners. The Home app will support the core functionality of robot vacuums, like power control, cleaning mode, vacuum, mop, and charge status. The vacuums can also be used in automations and scenes, and respond toSiri requests.
Apple is adding electricity usage integration into the Home app, but it's only available to select Pacific Gas and Electric Company customers in the United States to begin. With this feature, users can see their home electricity usage from the Home app, along with rate plan.
Electricity usage integration is coming later in 2024, and Apple also plans to add other providers in the future.
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Top Rated Comments
19 months ago
When will HomeKit add the option for when I say "My bedroom", it can differentiate between the different bedrooms in the house?
Parents: "My bedroom" = Master bedroom
Child 1: "My bedroom" = Child 1's bedroom
Child 2: "My bedroom" = Child 2's bedroom
etc.
Example: "Turn [my] bedroom lights off." and it knows exactly which bedroom I'm referencing.
Parents: "My bedroom" = Master bedroom
Child 1: "My bedroom" = Child 1's bedroom
Child 2: "My bedroom" = Child 2's bedroom
etc.
Example: "Turn [my] bedroom lights off." and it knows exactly which bedroom I'm referencing.
19 months ago
My stairs are right inside my front door. So are we saying that every time I run upstairs or downstairs my front door is going to unlock?
Or if I’m out mowing the front lawn the door will unlock when I approach? Too much automation.
Personally, I love express mode triggered by just waving my Apple Watch near my front door lock. I can do it with full hands. Super easy but stillintentional.
Or if I’m out mowing the front lawn the door will unlock when I approach? Too much automation.
Personally, I love express mode triggered by just waving my Apple Watch near my front door lock. I can do it with full hands. Super easy but stillintentional.
19 months ago
I think the OP is asking about context-aware requests, so it know's that if Sally says 'my room', it mean's Sally's room, whereas if Timmy says 'my room' it means his room. It makes for more natural commands.
I thought that’s why they gave the option of creating rooms with any name you want. Name a room Timmy or Sally, whatever, add devices. “Hey Siri, turn the lights on in Timmy‘s room.”, they turn on.
If not, https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/how-to-set-up-homepod-multi-user-voice-recognition/, may work if you have HomePods. First option seems easier to me though.
19 months ago
Perhaps they should fix Homekit bugs first, like it never registers when everybody has left the house, so no automations are triggered.
19 months ago
Nevermind locks, get the UWB & AI activated on the HomePods and make it contextually aware. Can't count the number of times I'll be in the living room watching something & I'll say something like, Hey Siri play.... meaning for the Apple TV I'm watching, the phones pick it up & start playing music through the phone, or Siri turn something off & it doesn't know the only thing that's on.
I'm hoping there's more updates to Home than this.
I'm hoping there's more updates to Home than this.
