After the announcement of Apple HomeKit’s software authentication, the Wemo Mini Smart Switch has just become the very first device to adopt this protocol.
After the announcement of Apple HomeKit’s software authentication, the Wemo Mini Smart Switch has just become the very first device to adopt this protocol.
The Wemo Mini Smart switch can now be controlled by iOS devices and Siri. Users just need to update the software of the switch from the Wemo app. Wemo’s team plans to finish rolling out the update to all customers by next week.
“We have sold more than one million Wemo Minis and with Apple’s new software authentication of HomeKit, our customers can easily integrate their Wemo devices with the Apple Home app and Siri, to enjoy the full Apple experience of home control,” said Justin Doucette, Wemo’s senior director of product management.
Before the update, users were required to have a Wemo Bridge to have their Wemo gadgets work with Apple HomeKit. Now Wemo Mini Smart Switch can get HomeKit support, but other Wemo devices will still rely on the Bridge.
“No other non-chipped product has the ability to do the HomeKit authentication via a software update as of yet,” said Wemo to CNET.
Apple used to require device manufacturers to embed the MFi chipset to get HomeKit support. After a period of time, it became a hustle for manufacturers to get their products work with HomeKit, compared with other open platforms like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The market share of HomeKit dropped as a result.
Apple announced it would bring HomeKit software authentication with iOS 11.3 update earlier this year.
“HomeKit software authentication provides a great way for developers to add HomeKit support to existing accessories while protecting privacy and security,” said Apple back in January.
Wemo, a smart home brand under Belkin, has plans to update the Wemo Dimmer Light Switch’s software for Apple HomeKit support later this year.