Apple Intends to Enhance HomeKit's Utility through New Strategies
Smart home platforms often favor popular contenders like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, leaving Apple's HomeKit in the shadows. However, at WWDC 2019, Apple introduced a few privacy-focused features that could make HomeKit more appealing.
Firstly, there's HomeKit Secure Video. With connected security cameras, data is often stored on the camera's cloud service, which can feel intrusive. HomeKit Secure Video aims to change that by processing video locally on the device and encrypting it before sending it to iCloud. Users can store up to 10 days of footage at no additional cost and let their 200GB plan accommodate a single camera or up to 5 cameras with a 2TB plan. Privacy-conscious individuals will appreciate this feature, and manufacturers like Logitech, Eufy, Arlo, and Netatmo have already expressed interest in supporting it.
Another privacy-focused addition is HomeKit-compatible routers, which promise to offer better firewall protection. By quarantining hacked devices from the rest of your network, these routers bring an extra layer of security to your smart home setup. If you're a Charter Spectrum subscriber, you may soon benefit from these routers, as they plan to supply them later this year.
Apple is gradually bolstering its smart home platform with more privacy-focused features, addressing concerns that have often plagued this sector. With its commitment to privacy, this makes perfect sense, especially as news of hacks, leaks, and insufficient data security from smaller companies continue to surface.
As for enrichment data, HomeKit Secure Video offers end-to-end encryption, local object detection, facial recognition, and customizable recording settings based on occupancy. HomeKit Router offers granular control, enabling users to restrict the internet reach of their smart home devices. Apple's HomePod and HomePod mini serve as home hubs for HomeKit Secure Video, while eero is the first company to roll out support for HomeKit Router, offering additional protection for HomeKit accessories.
- In the future, we might see more tech companies embracing HomeKit Secure Video's end-to-end encryption and local object detection, as it provides a more secure alternative for storing and processing video data compared to traditional cloud services.
- With the growing concern about data security, it's no surprise that Apple is focusing on tech like HomeKit Secure Video and HomeKit Router, which aim to encrypt and secure linksys routers connected to HomeKit devices, thereby protecting user's privacy.
- As for tech enthusiasts who are looking to upgrade their smart home setup with HomeKit devices, they might consider using a HomeKit-compatible router to provide an additional layer of security, ensuring that their video data sent via the Spectrum network is encrypted and secure.
- In light of the ongoing debates about tech companies' handling of user data, Apple's commitment to privacy through features like HomeKit Secure Video and HomeKit Router will surely appeal to individuals who prioritize security and encryption in their smart home devices.
