Apple Outlines HomeKit Setup, Apple TV Required to Control Accessories While Away From Home

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Posted June 3, 2015 at 5:16pm by iClarified

Apple published a new support document today confirming the Apple TV will be used as a hub for HomeKit devices. The document notes that in order to control HomeKit-enabled accessories when you are away from your home, you must have a third-generation or later Apple TV.

If you have an Apple TV (3rd generation or later) with software version 7.0 or later, you can control your HomeKit-enabled accessories when you're away from home using your iOS device.
Sign in with the same Apple ID on your iOS device and Apple TV, and you'll be able to use Siri commands to remotely control your accessories.

The support document also outlines how to setup and get started with HomeKit. HomeKit accessories require a separate app download, which you can find in the App store. Once the app is downloaded, you must pair your accessory to your iOS device use a special pin code. Once paired, you can use Siri to control your accessories, group your accessories together, and more.

Apple has also issued a separate support document that highlights HomeKit accessories. We wrote about some of those accessories yesterday including those from Elgato, Lutron, iHome and Ecobee.

Apple Outlines HomeKit Setup, Apple TV Required to Control Accessories While Away From Home

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Roku - June 4, 2015 at 12:44am

LOL, they need to sell all those ATV 3rd generation that no one wants because they don't have jailbreak for them but warehouses are full and cannot sell them. Pathetic.

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JollySonX - June 4, 2015 at 8:58am

What would be the benefits of a atv3 jailbreak?

gamerscul9870 - June 4, 2015 at 11:56am

More content, effects you want, organize the UI, etc.! If I wanted to play games on it, I'd AirPlay it. So simple!

Roku-not - June 5, 2015 at 5:08pm

Ha! I gotcha. Of course I don't have Roku but I do have ATV2 that is jailbroken. How easily you get fired up. As long as I can stream content from NAS, I don't care what generation it is. It should be default Kodi (XBMC) on all these devices anyway.

NATO - June 3, 2015 at 8:10pm

Yes, you'll need iWatch to control your iPhone, than you need iPad to control your appleTV, than MacBook Air to connect to iMac, the one with CD drive, than this new device they'll announce in few days, and that's how you turn ON or OFF your lights in your house remotely. Easy-peasy!!

Dommm - June 3, 2015 at 8:07pm

What version of Apple TV is on sale now as 3 rd gen or later implies newer ones and they all look the same

gamerscul9870 - June 3, 2015 at 8:08pm

Any a tv.

gamerscul9870 - June 3, 2015 at 5:22pm

Glad I own one already!