Smart home is about to blow up thanks to Apple

Apple began its push into the smart home market by allowing developers to use the HomeKit framework in iOS to control smart accessories in the home. HomeKit lets iOS device users to discover, configure and control accessories, as well as use Siri to trigger actions.

Smart thermostats are the most popular smart home purchases right now, accounting for 27% of device sales in the first three quarters of 2014. About 32% of smart devices were bought as gifts in 2013, but Parks and Associates analysts expect the shopping season to push 2014’s final numbers past last year’s mark.

After surveying 10,000 households, the firm found that smart lights will be the most popular purchase in 2014, with programmable thermostats dropping to fourth place now that competing products like smart appliances are becoming popular.

Read more: http://www.cultofmac.com/305963/smart-home-blow-thanks-apple

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