Apple’s HomeKit connected devices are rolling out slower than expected, and one reason for this is that Apple reportedly requires that anyone making a third-party HomeKit device buy and use a special identity chip — a fact that caught many devs unawares.
“I know a lot of people who have been surprised by this requirement and had to re-spin boards for the chip,” said Michael Anderson, chief scientist of engineering firm PTR Group during a recent talk. “A lot of manufacturers are up in arms [about the] Apple silicon [that makes their] device more expensive.”
We’ve previously reported on the fact that Apple insists on cutting-edge security protocols for Bluetooth LE devices. This is said to be stopping the availability of more devices due to the lag caused by the processing demands of generating and sending the necessary security keys.
As far as the ID chip goes, it’s unknown at what stage Apple added it to HomeKit requirements, although we’ve known for some time that Apple insists developers buy their Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chips from Apple-approved chipmakers. It’s also not known what exactly the HomeKit ID chip does, but it is thought that it relates to accessing the cloud, as well as triggers for geo-location.
Overall, Michael Anderson said, “there’s not a lot known about HomeKit since it was first launched in iOS 8 because Apple’s got it under wraps.”
We trust that Apple knows what it’s doing when it comes to rolling out new products — but with so many other companies looking to establish themselves as dominant Internet of Things entities, we’d hate to see Apple lag behind because it’s making too many demands on developers.
Source: EE Times
Luke Dormehl is a U.K.-based journalist and author, with a background working in documentary film for Channel 4 and the BBC. He is the author of The Apple Revolution and The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems … and Create More, both published by Penguin/Random House. His tech writing has also appeared in Wired, Fast Company, Techmeme and other publications.
2 responses to “Custom ID chip is key to Apple’s HomeKit”
Internet of things is about to go gangbusters. I can understand why Apple would be conscious of security, with the recent security holes found in various smart globes and such, it would be a foolish move not to be. However this does mean Apple is now on the back foot. Forcing manufactures to use a specific piece of hardware, while is indeed an excellent way to ensure quality and solve some issues, it will also mean a smaller market share. Apple does seem to want to focus on the premium end of the market so maybe they don’t really care about that.
Given all the recent high profile security and data breaches recently, not to mention the Chrysler hack which could allow a remote attacker to take control of the vehicle, and reported ‘stage fright’ flaw affecting most Android handsets- is it any wonder Apple are insisting on tighter security requirements/custom ID chips for HomeKit devices?
If the consumer is to be convinced to turn their home into a ‘smart home’ by connecting all kinds of devices and systems and allowing them all to talk to each other/controllable over a network- first they are going to need to be convinced that security, and the security of those systems/protocols are indeed something that is more than a mere afterthought.
Better that Apple take their time and ensure that that security is integrated into their system, rather than a serious flaw to get exploited that affects consumers because they rushed to market a system that put security as an afterthought.
I’m not saying even with custom ID chips that Apple’s system will be immune to hacks/flaws- but the public would be a lot more forgiving of a company that put the security of that network first, than one that rushed to be first to try and capture the market.