Apple may introduce new smart home app for iOS 9 called 'Home'

Just a few weeks before WWDC, Apple has announced its plan to manage the upcoming HomeKit-compatible accessories by introducing a new iOS app called Home. The company is currently testing a version for iOS 9 that includes the new app, which will reportedly allow a user to set up new smart home products such as Wi-Fi garage door openers, smart thermostats akin to Nest’s Learning Thermostat, and wireless door locks with iPhones and iPads. Apple’s HomeKit was introduced at the Worldwide Developers Conference last year, marking Apple’s entry into the ‘Internet of Things’. According to a report by 9to5mac, Apple has quietly continued to work on the HomeKit framework and Home app, which could be shown alongside iOS 9 at WWDC next month. The Home application is currently represented by a ‘house’ glyph atop a dark yellow background, and is said to be ‘fairly basic’ in its functionality. The report points out a few features of the new app which include, wirelessly discovering and setting up compatible HomeKit devices, creating a virtual representation of rooms at home to easily organise and connect HomeKit devices, utilising the Apple TV as a hub connecting all of the HomeKit devices and offering a series of screens to help users find new HomeKit devices and apps. As of now, it is unclear whether this new app will be announced at WWDC next month. It is reportedly believed that the new Home app could remain solely for internal usage and Apple could push for customers to control their HomeKit devices solely via Siri and accompanying App Store apps.