According to experts who sell electronics and review new technologies, there’s a vast selection of home gadgets geared to smarten up a user’s living space. A huge part of this array has ties with the Apple HomeKit, which is a built-in feature found in Apple’s flagship devices.
The Need for the Apple TV
The Apple HomeKit offers a uniform jargon that assists devices to “talk” to one another and with Siri. This communication feature is one of HomeKit’s biggest lures. But this comes with a tiny catch. The Siri commands are incapable of working beyond the Wi-Fi connection of your home unless you have an Apple TV – specifically a third-generation one.
This small catch is tied up with security as the company wants to guarantee that none of the home gadgets connected to the HomeKit will turn into a vulnerable point within your network. If you send voice commands away from your home, it requires authentication to ensure that it’s you sending the commands.
The Apple TV serves as a smart home bouncer. You need to sync it up with your home Wi-Fi network and with your iCloud account. Thus, whenever you send a command from outside your home, Siri will verify the credentials before executing the task.
Setting this all up is easy enough to do, especially if you already have an Apple TV installed at home. Otherwise:
1. Make sure your iOS home gadgets are updated.
Update all your devices so that they’re operating with the latest version of iOS. It’s important to
make every new feature current to ensure 100 percent gadget compatibility.
2. Pick your HomeKit smart home control.
This doesn’t have to be exclusively manufactured by Apple. Tons of smart home gadgets nowadays are compatible with the Apple HomeKit. To avoid wasting money, check the product packaging of the device. When you see a badge that states “Works with Apple HomeKit” then you’re good to go.
3. Follow the installation and download instructions.
Every smart home device comes with its own control application. It’s vital that you install the gadget and download the app correctly. When you install a new device, the app will ask if you want to sync it with your home data. Choose “OK.” Add the new device to your “home” account. If it is the first gadget you will be installing, simply create a home account.
4. Put Apple TV into play.
By this stage, you can start controlling your various smart home gadgets using Siri. To ensure that your commands are followed even when you’re away from home, set up your Apple TV. To do this:
• Go to “Settings.”
• Find the yellow house icon which represents HomeKit.
• Click on it and you’ll have access to your home list.
• Choose your existing home profile.
• Look for the slider right on top of the page.
• Slide it over into the right position.
5. Sync your iCloud Account with Apple TV.
If you already have an Apple TV, chances are you already have an iCloud account. Otherwise:
• Go to the main screen.
• Click the gear icon (Settings).
• Scroll down and choose “iCloud.”
• Key in your account information.
Once you’re done with the setup, Apple TV will automatically do its task as the “overseer” of your smart home gadgets.
Cesar is a Product Manager at Gadget Salvation, a leader in the refurbished electronics industry. An avid technology enthusiast, he’s always on top of the latest tech trends and applies that knowledge to drive product innovation.
