iDevices wants to make that process a little easier. The maker of an app-connected thermometer for grills, iDevices knows how hard it is to fit into Apple's plans. For the past 10 months, iDevices has worked closely with Apple and spent $10 million on a new product for HomeKit, Apple's standard for controlling home devices in iOS.
Although the Connecticut-based startup isn't ready to talk about its specific device until next January--iDevices founder and CEO Chris Allen promises it isn't another hub--the company wants to start partnering with product makers to accelerate the very long process of getting into Apple's closed ecosystem.
“By using our platform, they can speed up time to market for working on HomeKit," said Allen in a phone call. "They don't have to have a team or existing knowledge base in their company. They can come to us.”
Allen and his team are going to help out with everything from software to hardware for getting devices to integrate into HomeKit. There's a considerable amount of investment a company needs to make if it ever wants to integrate its smart home device into HomeKit. To become certified under Apple's HomeKit program, there's a number physical integrations that need to happen, including specific chips and firmware layered on top. And then on the software side, there are many limitations and requirements app makers have to follow. Apple is also very focused on security and encryption between the device and Apple's operating system.
In the past year, iDevices has grown from 22 people to 55. This investment has all been related to ramping up for HomeKit.
"We've grown as a result of my belief that this is something we've been waiting for," said Allen. "Everybody tries to jump into home automation from the bottom up and force integration. We didn't believe in that model. When Apple said, 'we're going into this space and bring order to the chaos,' that was exciting."
Allen said iDevices already has number of companies they're working with to get their devices into HomeKit and some of them are big names.
“Everybody wants to become HomeKit compatible, but it's not easy,” said Allen. “Apple is very focused on user experience. You can't force integration and be a nail in the foot of an 800-pound gorilla. I'd rather ride on the back of an 800-pound gorilla.”
Apple HomeKit was announced in June at its developers conference, but it hasn't officially launched yet. The protocol is still evolving, said Allen, and there's plenty of room to evolve.
“My personal belief is that the 'Internet of Things' is going to become a quasi old term soon if it's not already,” said Allen. “The next frontier is building true artificial intelligence, not a piece of software that says turn this light on at this time or that. It's truly learning people's habits, how they use products, and making intelligent products for them. It needs to provide true value at the end of the day. That hasn't happened yet.”
