Apple will apparently allow integration between HomeKit and some non-HomeKit home automation solutions, according to a new report by 9to5Mac. Citing sources that have been briefed on the new specifications, the latest MFi program information outlines the specific types of products and restrictions for allowing alternative products to tie into HomeKit.
While HomeKit is being designed primarily to work with Apple-certified Wi-Fi and Bluetooth accessories using Apple’s HomeKit protocol, some third-party manufacturers will be able to build HomeKit “bridge” devices to tie their existing products into HomeKit without having to specifically HomeKit-enable each individual product. The bridge will essentially translate proprietary protocols such as ZigBee and Z-Wave to the HomeKit protocol, allowing these accessories to be controlled from iOS devices using HomeKit methods such as Siri.
However, not all home automation accessories will be permitted to bridge to HomeKit, with Apple limiting the list to non-Wi-Fi accessories that “don’t offer users control of the home.” This rules out a lot of accessories such as thermostats, door locks, and even light bulbs, which will have to go directly through the MFi program and implement the HomeKit protocol. Essentially, it appears that the only bridgeable devices that are likely to quality under Apple’s requirements are those that simply provide data to HomeKit, such as monitoring sensors.
