Apple TV revealed as central control hub for HomeKit accessories

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

WWDC 2015's banner heralds "The Epicenter of Change," and while we can see various app-related icons and outlines (squircle for iOS, round for Watch), at the very centre is  what looks like the outline of an Apple TV.

New information suggests that a new version Apple TV which will serve as the central control hub for HomeKit, which is Apple's home automation, Internet of Things and smart devices play.  

The new Apple TV will reportedly have an app store and will employ the Siri voice assistant to offer users more control of Apple TV as well as many of the HomeKit connected devices that have recently been released. Proof that Apple TV will be the nervous system of HomeKit is derived from text on a support document on Apple's page.

Control your accessories away from home

If you have an Apple TV (3rd generation or later) with software version 7.0 or later, you can control your HomeKit-enabled accessories when you're away from home using your iOS device.

Sign in with the same Apple ID on your iOS device and Apple TV, and you'll be able to use Siri commands to remotely control your accessories.

This makes WWDC 2015 an even more interesting developers conference, since it now seems as if HomeKit and corresponding integration with iOS is moving forward faster than expected. Stay tuned for my coverage from WWDC starting on Monday morning.

Source: MacRumors

Update on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at 4:46PM by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Now we're hearing that new Apple TV hardware will likely not break ground at WWDC next week and that it should come out later this year in tandem with a TV service.