Apple (AAPL) is making a play for your home.
According to the latest report by the Financial Times, the smartphone giant will announce a new software platform that will let you control security systems and various smart devices around your home from the comfort of your iPhone. The new smart-home platform would also include tasks like having the lights turn on automatically as the owner with the iPhone enters the home, or setting your thermostat to 66 degrees, for example.
The report noted that Apple will show off its new platform, which is expected to also work with the iPad and Apple TV, at its Worldwide Developer Conference on June 2 in San Francisco.
The move comes as Apple rivals Google (GOOGL) and Samsung are getting more into the emerging market of smart home technology. The search giant bought household device maker Nest for $3.2 billion in January, which produces the Nest Learning Thermostat and Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide detector. At this year’s International Consumer Electronics Show, meanwhile, Samsung revealed Smart Home, a service which enables consumers to control and manage their connected home devices through a single application.
Shares of Apple rose 1.70% to $624.42 on mid-trading Tuesday, extending their 52 week rally to more than 40%.
Leave a Reply