Apple Reportedly Planning iOS 9 'Home' App to Control HomeKit Accessories

Apple is reportedly planning a new 'Home' app that will ship with iOS 9, reports 9to5mac. Home will enable users to manage upcoming HomeKit-compatible accessories.

HomeKit was introduced at least year's WWDC as a way for developers to integrate 'smart' home accessories with iOS, providing deep integration through operating system through Siri, and now the alleged Home app.

While HomeKit integration and development has been limited, sources say Apple has been quietly working on the framework and Home app in order to show it off at this year's WWDC. Similar to how HealthKit relied on the Health app, HomeKit will use the Home app to create a new iOS experience. The Home app is currently said to be 'fairly basic' and include some of the following functionality:


● Wirelessly discovering and setting up compatible HomeKit devices
● Creating a virtual representation of rooms in the home to easily organize and connect HomeKit devices
● Utilizing the Apple TV as a hub connecting all of the HomeKit devices
● Offering a series of screens to help users find new HomeKit devices and apps

The report does not that it remains unclear as to whether or not Apple will announce the new Home app at WWDC in June. Contrary to rumors that HomeKit would be delayed, Apple has reiterated that dozens of partners will bring HomeKit accessories to the market next month. Apple is also reportedly working on its own HomeKit hardware, but there has been no indication on when, or if that would launch.