Homekit

[TANE 12]

Great news for iOS users.

 

Homekit will be available as app this fall.

Fibaro logo was on the list of supported application's

 

 

[northyorks 35]

Yes just noticed Fibaro Logo on WWDC apple video! Wonder if Fibaro will confirm whats in the pipeline / Likely release date of HomeKit integration?

[Guest azevenhuizen]

Well I am very happy with iLcato's HomeBridge on my Rpi, but if we can get direct integration in HC2 we will have to make an obvious choice.

But praise iLcato for all his time and efford...

[chaicka 195]

Seriously? I guess I missed that part.

[Everaars 1]

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[chaicka 195]

Re-watched and the context at that moment of the slidedeck is 'Every major maker of home accessories has shipping or has announced support for HomeKit.'...

 

Hmmm...makes me wonder what has Fibaro announced for HomeKit.

[TANE 12]

Fibaro is on the first line..there must be more going one..

I think Homekit will be a central interface to connect all the devices together.

I don't see it as a replacement of the fibaro app more like quick turn on or location based do things.

Wehen the Homekit is available for fibaro will will say Goodby Lili, Welcome Siri

[Jaber 0]

I hope Fibaro announces further details soon.,

[chaicka 195]

It's going to be a software update, not a new hardware. At least that's what been shared so far. No timeline though... Just hope it is not another long wait and hopefully there is sufficient close-door beta testing to iron out most of initial bugs before release to public beta.

[KristianO 15]

I'm guessing 2018, anyone up for a bet?

[Guest AxelS]

Maybe any hint from the Fibaro guys?

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I mean, does it make sense to continue the invest in Fibaro stuff or better wait to see what will come ... 

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I do not understand, why they are still so bad in communication. 

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[flux_capacitor 1]

Hi everyone, this is my first post here 

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It's going to be a software update, not a new hardware. At least that's what been shared so far. No timeline though... Just hope it is not another long wait and hopefully there is sufficient close-door beta testing to iron out most of initial bugs before release to public beta.

 

According to the information I gathered, it's not true. For security reasons, Apple requires that HomeKit accessories use 3072-bit keys and Curve25519 encryption, and that is achieved by a mandatory authentication chip embedded in every single HomeKit-enabled product.

 

So Fibaro will have to make a new Home Center box including this hardware, OR they will have to build a new line of HomeKit-enabled modules (new switch, dimmer, relay…) each one including this chip.

 

I suspect the former because:

1) In order to build native HomeKit modules, Fibaro would have to ditch Z-wave in favor of Bluetooth Smart and/or Wi-Fi (because HomeKit native accessories can only use directly Wi-Fi or BT 4.0 LE or a combination of both, but no other protocol like Z-Wave, ZigBee, EnOcean… which need a HomeKit bridge)

2) A Home Center box would not be necessary anymore to run those decentralized modules, which is not a thing Fibaro would want (nor us, because the HC allows control over complex automated scenes and other brands/technologies)

3) Using one unique authentication chip in a centralized bridge controlling various already existing Z-wave modules is simpler than having to multiply those chips in many independent modules that would have to be made for that purpose (and perhaps be incompatible with current HCL and HC2)

 

That's why I think Fibaro will introduce a new Home Center 3, compatible with HomeKit among other new features.

 

Sorry but there is no software-only update path to HomeKit. Homebridge project on GitHub is a reverse engineering hack, and while I like it very much, it is true that it lacks any real security foundation and that Apple could shut it down anytime.

 

I understand Fibaro does not want to communicate about the hardware upgrade to HomeKit because they could be afraid of a potentially damaging Osborne effect on their existing product line.

 

Remember Philips with their first non-HomeKit Hue bridge. Earlier they announced that every existing Hue light bulb on the market would be HomeKit compatible in the future, and that was true. But they never told you would have to buy a new dedicated bridge. However this was crystal clear from the beginning to anyone who knew the HomeKit guidelines.

 

BTW the dedicated hardware chip was not part of the HomeKit specs from the beginning. Security was initially software-level and led to accessory makers, but Apple changed its mind on that matter in June-July 2015, with the mandatory dedicated encryption chip. That constraint delayed the first HomeKit products by several months.

 

EDIT: corrected Home Control: Home Center

[akatar 208]

perhaps fibaro can enlightnen us?

[chaicka 195]

 

Hi everyone, this is my first post here 

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According to the information I gathered, it's not true. For security reasons, Apple requires that HomeKit accessories use 3072-bit keys and Curve25519 encryption, and that is achieved by a mandatory authentication chip embedded in every single HomeKit-enabled product.

 

So Fibaro will have to make a new Home Control box including this hardware, OR they will have to build a new line of HomeKit-enabled modules (new switch, dimmer, relay…) each one including this chip.

 

I suspect the former because:

1) In order to build native HomeKit modules, Fibaro would have to ditch Z-wave in favor of Bluetooth Smart and/or Wi-Fi (because HomeKit native accessories can only use directly Wi-Fi or BT 4.0 LE or a combination of both, but no other protocol like Z-Wave, ZigBee, EnOcean… which need a HomeKit bridge)

2) A Home Control box would not be necessary anymore to run those decentralized modules, which is not a thing Fibaro would want (nor us, because the HC allows control over complex automated scenes and other brands/technologies)

3) Using one unique authentication chip in a centralized bridge controlling various already existing Z-wave modules is simpler than having to multiply those chips in many independent modules that would have to be made for that purpose (and perhaps be incompatible with current HCL and HC2)

 

That's why I think Fibaro will introduce a new Home Control 3, compatible with HomeKit among other new features.

 

Sorry but there is no software-only update path to HomeKit. Homebridge project on GitHub is a reverse engineering hack, and while I like it very much, it is true that it lacks any real security foundation and that Apple could shut it down anytime.

 

I understand Fibaro does not want to communicate about the hardware upgrade to HomeKit because they could be afraid of a potentially damaging Osborne effect on their existing product line.

 

Remember Philips with their first non-HomeKit Hue bridge. Earlier they announced that every existing Hue light bulb on the market would be HomeKit compatible in the future, and that was true. But they never told you would have to buy a new dedicated bridge. However this was crystal clear from the beginning to anyone who knew the HomeKit guidelines.

 

BTW the dedicated hardware chip was not part of the HomeKit specs from the beginning. Security was initially software-level and led to accessory makers, but Apple changed its mind on that matter in June-July 2015, with the mandatory dedicated encryption chip. That constraint delayed the first HomeKit products by several months.

 

 

If that is the case (which led me to ask the question), it is sad that what has been shared is not accurate.

 

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Perhaps Fibaro can clarify the matter here?

The information will help us, existing customers, to better plan future investment and decision making. The more uncertainty it has, the more we will likely hold back making more investment and look elsewhere.

[loopez 7]

Propably it will be HC3 - and it will be announced as surprise to avoid any complains from existing customers - for me more important than HK is stable HC2.. I'll be too affright to connect unstable fibaro to apple HK

[chaicka 195]

The situation I am in is more of middle grounds...hence a dilemma junction point.

 

I have invested heavily on Apple ecosystem over the years. Even if I look at investment dollars between Apple eco and Fibaro/Z-Wave eco, it is almost proportional as well.

 

Z-wave platform is still in a much fragmented, unorganized and poor compatibility (right out the box) despite having a long headstart (>5 years or even >10 years) but lacks the leadership to truly drive things in the right direction. Now with Z-wave Plus, things still have not improve much on interoperability and compatibility aspect. Well, most of the vendors do not have track records of prioritize efforts on standards compliance, each is just out to grab a piece of the bigger pie (unbalanced, heavily profit driven) without regards on what actually matters most.

 

HomeKit platform is relatively new (just approx. 2 years) with a slow/delay start but has lots of potential with a strong backer who has a track record of ability to lead and drive things with focus/emphasis on quality and consumer experience (not dive in to deliver latest tech that is meaningless/useless to its users). A big favorable factor is its somewhat predictable lifecycle of development and progress coupled with transparency in communications to its developers and public (consumers).

 

It is ok if hardware upgrade is required but at the least, share more transparency around it so consumers can make informed decisions. That is the consumer expectations in this era.

[sj3fk3 27]

I'm guessing 2018, anyone up for a bet?

 

Summer 2019

[chaicka 195]

With iOS 10, it looks like the iPad can become the 'Home Hub' instead of just only Apple TV.

 

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[flux_capacitor 1]

If that is the case (which led me to ask the question), it is sad that what has been shared is not accurate.

 

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Perhaps Fibaro can clarify the matter here?

The information will help us, existing customers, to better plan future investment and decision making. The more uncertainty it has, the more we will likely hold back making more investment and look elsewhere.

 

The only way I can imagine HomeKit activated with just a software update in existing Home Centers would be a special deal with Apple allowing Fibaro to use the power of the Intel Atom CPU integrated in the Home Center 2 to do the encryption job software-level, instead by the mandatory Apple authentication coprocessor built into all "Built for HomeKit" certified accessories.

 

Everything about HomeKit is covered under NDA but Apple tells us about that particular chip in their latest

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. Apple does not compromise with security. See their fingerprint management scheme relying on low-level hardware encryption (aka Secure Enclave coprocessor) for TouchID devices in the same document. 

[wojtas810 17]

whether the application for android?