{"id":18902,"date":"2016-11-18T15:49:45","date_gmt":"2016-11-18T20:49:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/homekit-apples-next-big-thing\/"},"modified":"2016-11-18T15:49:45","modified_gmt":"2016-11-18T20:49:45","slug":"homekit-apples-next-big-thing","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/homekit-apples-next-big-thing\/","title":{"rendered":"HomeKit \u2013 Apple\u2019s next Big Thing?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earlier this year, Apple reported a decline in revenues and net income for the first time since its brush against bankruptcy in 1997[1] <\/sup>(Exhibit 1).<\/p>\n

The decline was primarily due to disappointing iPhone sales, Apple\u2019s flagship product. Pessimists say that Apple\u2019s best days are behind it and that the company has lost its magic touch[2]<\/sup>. As the market for smartphones matures and sales of iPhones, iPads, and iMacs continue to decline[3]<\/sup>, Apple needs to innovate to maintain its leadership in the technology world.<\/p>\n

Exhibit 1: <\/strong>Apple\u2019s Revenue and Net Income (2010 \u2013 2016)[4]<\/sup><\/p>\n

\"capture\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Push into Smart Homes \u2013 HomeKit<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2014, Apple entered the smart home market with HomeKit \u2013 a platform allowing users to control home automation products such as intelligent locks and light bulbs with iOS[5]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

When the first smart home products were released, the only way to control them was through vendor-specific software. Phillips Hue smart lightbulbs, for example, needed to be controlled through the Phillips app[6]<\/sup>. This system worked well if you\u2019re only dealing with lightbulbs, but since vendors tend to specialize on a narrow range of products, users with multiple smart accessories had to juggle multiple apps to control their loosely compatible systems.<\/p>\n

Apple saw that the value behind smart homes is not in having isolated smart products, but in interconnected devices communicating with each other to improve user\u2019s lives. Imagine your smartphone tells your blinds to open as your alarm is about to go off, while your thermostat adjusts the room temperature to make it just right by the time you get out of bed. HomeKit isn\u2019t there yet, but it takes us a step closer by unifying a breadth of proprietary smart home systems under a single umbrella.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Inner Works<\/strong><\/p>\n

HomeKit sits between users, software developers and hardware vendors to integrate the smart home experience.<\/p>\n

On the user side, HomeKit enables multiple accessories manufactured by different providers to work in harmony[7]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

HomeKit rationalizes device organization within the home by grouping and labeling smart devices. The broadest label is the \u2018home\u2019 which encompasses all \u2018room[s]\u2019 which contain a set of \u2018accessorie[s]\u2019 which themselves can provide a range of \u2018service[s]\u2019 (Exhibit 2). Users can also create custom groupings such as \u2018living room\u2019 or \u2018kitchen\u2019. This allows users to issue commands such as: \u2018Siri turn on the kitchen lights\u2019[8]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Exhibit 2:<\/strong> Diagram of HomeKit Hierarchies of Groupings<\/p>\n


\n\"apple2\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

On the software side, HomeKit provides a standardized framework enabling smart device configuration, control, and communication. HomeKit is open for 3rd<\/sup> party app development, but Apple developed an in-house app for smart home set-up and control \u2013 Home[7] <\/sup>(Exhibit 3).<\/p>\n

Exhibit 3:<\/strong> Apple Home Interface[7]<\/sup><\/p>\n

\"apple\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

On the hardware side, Apple relies on 3rd<\/sup> party vendors to develop and manufacture HomeKit-compatible accessories[8]<\/sup>. Becoming Homekit-compatible is no joke. Devices must first get certified under Apple\u2019s Made for iPhone\/iPod\/iPad program. This entails extensive testing to ensure products are on par with Apple standards. In addition, vendors must embed authentication chips in their devices. These chips can only be purchased from Apple. On top of that, every product update requires vendors to send detailed documentation and prototypes to Apple for testing. Finally, HomeKit-compatible products can only be manufactured at Apple-approved factories. Vendors working with non-approved factories must therefore migrate production to comply[9]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Apple\u2019s staggering device certification and approval process is rooted in good intentions. The idea is to run HomeKit locally on every smart device[10]<\/sup> and maintain consistent security standards among all HomeKit-compatible devices[11]<\/sup>. And for good reason, security is key in an era where device interconnection has gotten to a point where a hacker can steal your credit card information through your fridge[12]<\/sup>. But in HomeKit\u2019s case, it comes at the cost of limiting the availability of HomeKit-compatible accessories to consumers. Looking at Apple\u2019s website, it only shows seven approved manufacturers compared to 95 for Nest, a competitor[10]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Way Forward \u2013 More is More<\/strong><\/p>\n

Only 6% of U.S. households have smart devices[13]<\/sup>. Adoption is limited given limited appliance availability, high prices, and limited value[3]<\/sup>. Thus, Apple\u2019s key challenge moving forward is convincing consumers of the value of upgrading to a smart home.<\/p>\n

For starters, Apple should stop thinking like a device-maker \u2013 running HomeKit on every smart device is costly, time consuming, and drains users’ Wi-Fi bandwidth. Instead, the company should run HomeKit on the cloud. This would allow devices to integrate on Apple\u2019s servers, simplifying the certification process, and reducing product launch lead times for vendors. In addition, Apple would be able to control security standards and run updates at the server-level[10]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Apple should also work with manufacturers to lower prices and make devices accessible to consumers. Price is a key barrier to adoption and smart accessories command a hefty premium over traditional alternatives. A Phillips Hue lightbulb, for example, costs USD 15 at Target[15]<\/sup>, five times more than a regular LED lightbulb, and that\u2019s without the USD 150+ Hue control panel.<\/p>\n

Only time will tell if smart homes become Apple\u2019s next big thing. For now, the company should focus on the user experience \u2013 this means more products, seamless integration, and lower prices.<\/p>\n

(797 Words)<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n

[1] The Guardian, \u201cApple’s annual profits fall for first time in 15 years as iPhone sales decline\u201d, web, Oct. 2016, https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2016\/oct\/25\/apple-profits-sales-decline-2016-iphone-7<\/a> (Accessed on 11\/15\/2016)<\/p>\n

[2] The Wall Street Journal, \u201cAre Apple’s Best Days Long Gone?\u201d, web, Aug. 2016, http:\/\/www.wsj.com\/podcasts\/are-apple-best-days-long-gone\/5286576E-AF4A-46AD-8D58-31030D1386F9.html<\/a> (Accessed on 11\/15\/2016)<\/p>\n

[3] Business Insider, \u201cApple is about to take a huge risk with its new iPhone strategy\u201d, web, Jul. 2016, http:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/apple-taking-huge-risk-with-new-iphone-strategy-2016-7<\/a> (Accessed on 11\/15\/2016)<\/p>\n

[4] Apple 2015 10K Reports, web, Sep. 2015, http:\/\/investor.apple.com\/secfiling.cfm?filingid=1193125-15-356351&cik<\/a> (Accessed on 11\/15\/2016)<\/p>\n

[5] Apple HomeKit Developer Site, web, https:\/\/developer.apple.com\/videos\/play\/wwdc2014\/213<\/a> (Accessed on 11\/15\/2016)<\/p>\n

[6] Apple, web, http:\/\/www2.meethue.com\/en-us\/<\/a> (Accessed on 11\/15\/2016)<\/p>\n

[7] Apple Home App. Page, web, http:\/\/www.apple.com\/ios\/home\/<\/a> (Accessed on 11\/15\/2016)<\/p>\n

[8] TechCrunch, \u201cInside an Apple Smart Phone\u201d, web, Nov. 2016, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2016\/11\/07\/inside-an-apple-smart-home\/<\/a> (Accessed on 11\/15\/2016)<\/p>\n

[9] Forbes, \u201cApple’s HomeKit Is Proving To Be Too Demanding For Bluetooth Smart Home Devices\u201d, web, Jul. 2015, http:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/aarontilley\/2015\/07\/21\/whats-the-hold-up-for-apples-homekit\/#a4c444d322b6<\/a> (Accessed on 11\/15\/2016)<\/p>\n

[10] TechCrunch, \u201cApple is screwing up HomeKit; here\u2019s how they can fix it\u201d, web, Sep. 2016, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2016\/09\/30\/apple-is-screwing-up-homekit-heres-how-they-can-fix-it\/<\/a> (Accessed on 11\/15\/2016)<\/p>\n

[11] CNN Money, \u201cApple’s HomeKit: Safer, but not hack-proof\u201d, web, Jun. 2014, http:\/\/money.cnn.com\/2014\/06\/03\/technology\/security\/apple-homekit\/<\/a> (Accessed on 11\/15\/2016)<\/p>\n

[12] TechCrunch, \u201cWhy IoT Security Is So Critical\u201d, web, Oct. 2015, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2015\/10\/24\/why-iot-security-is-so-critical\/<\/a> (Accessed on 11\/15\/2016)<\/p>\n

[13] The Economist, \u201cThe Internet of Things – Where the smart is\u201d , web, Jun. 2016, http:\/\/www.economist.com\/news\/business\/21700380-connected-homes-will-take-longer-materialise-expected-where-smart<\/a> (Accessed on 11\/15\/2016)<\/p>\n

[14] Target, web, http:\/\/www.target.com\/<\/a> (Accessed on 11\/15\/2016)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Apple – the world\u2019s largest public company reported its first decline in revenues and net income for the first time since 1997. Has the tech giant lost its innovative touch? 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