Apple Home Gets a Major Upgrade: Robot Vacuum Control and Guest Access for a Smarter, More Convenient Home
Imagine controlling your robot vacuum cleaner directly from your iPhone, setting cleaning schedules, and even checking its battery life – all within the familiar Apple Home app. This exciting new feature, alongside the introduction of guest access for smart home devices, is part of Apple’s upcoming iOS 18 update, announced at WWDC 2024. This update marks a significant leap towards a truly seamless and intelligent home experience, potentially changing the way we interact with our smart home devices.
Apple Home App Updates
Robot Vacuum Control
The long-awaited integration of robot vacuum cleaners into the Apple Home app is finally here. With iOS 18, users can control supported robot vacuum cleaners using Siri, streamlining the cleaning process. This means issuing commands like “Hey Siri, start the vacuum" or "Hey Siri, clean the living room" becomes a reality, bringing an additional layer of convenience to smart home living.
Beyond simple commands, the Apple Home app will enable users to:
- Manage power controls: Turn your robot vacuum on or off remotely.
- Set cleaning modes: Choose from different cleaning modes, like spot cleaning or deep cleaning, based on your specific needs.
- Initiate vacuum and mop cleaning: Control both vacuuming and mopping functions from your device.
- Check charge status: Keep track of your vacuum’s battery level and receive notifications when it needs recharging.
Guest Access
The new Guest Access feature in the Apple Home app is a game changer for managing smart home access for visitors. Imagine having friends or family over and being able to easily grant them temporary access to your smart lights, security cameras, or even your robot vacuum.
This feature offers:
- Temporary access control: Grant specific users limited access to select smart home devices for a designated period.
- Schedule-based access: Set specific times for guests to have access to your home’s smart features, ensuring security and convenience for all.
- Ultra-wideband (UWB) technology: Use UWB technology for secure and precise access control, similar to how Apple uses it for Home keys for unlocking your iPhone.
iOS 18: The Path to a Seamless Smart Home Experience
The arrival of iOS 18 comes with a promise of a more connected and user-friendly smart home experience. This update, scheduled for release in the Fall, is likely to coincide with the launch of the iPhone 16 series in September.
iOS 18 Eligible Devices:
While the update brings exciting features, not all iPhones are ready to experience it. According to Apple, only the iPhone XR and newer models, including the iPhone 15 Pro Max, will be eligible for the iOS 18 update. This means that iPhones that received the iOS 17 update last year will also be able to upgrade.
However, the new Apple Intelligence powered features, including the robot vacuum control, are exclusive to iPhones equipped with the A17 Pro SoC. This means the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be the only devices to have access to these intelligent features at launch.
A New Era of Smart Home Control
Apple’s continued focus on improving the Apple Home app and iOS, coupled with the introduction of new features like robot vacuum control and guest access, is transforming the way we interact with our smart homes. As Apple further integrates machine learning and intelligent capabilities into its ecosystem, we can expect even more user-friendly and intuitive smart home experiences.
This push towards a more seamless smart home experience is crucial in a world where technology is increasingly intertwined with our daily lives. The ability to control and manage our home environments, both for ourselves and our guests, is becoming a critical aspect of modern living.
While the initial release of iOS 18 may be limited to a select few devices, Apple’s commitment to constant innovation and its focus on creating a truly connected and user-friendly smart home experience suggests that these features will be made available to a wider audience in the future. The future of smart home technology, according to Apple, promises to be more convenient, more intelligent, and more user-centric than ever before.
