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Apple to Attend CES 2020 in Rare Official Appearance

Apple will make a rare official appearance at next week's annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas where its HomeKit smart home system will take the limelight, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

homekit devices
With Amazon and Google expected to roll out new software capabilities for their internet-connected products and voice-activated smart platforms, Apple's own smart home system will also be on show.

Apple's HomeKit, a system for controlling devices in the home, will also be on display. Some companies will show off new gadgets for the home that work with Siri, Apple's digital assistant.

According to the report, the company isn't expected to release any new hardware at the trade show, but Apple executive Jane Horvath is scheduled to speak on a consumer privacy panel on January 7.

Ahead of last year's CES, Apple put up a giant sign in Las Vegas touting the security of its devices, and in 2018 some Apple employees reportedly met with potential augmented-reality glasses suppliers there, but otherwise it has traditionally chosen to stay away. Apple's presence at CES 2020 is the first time in decades that the company has attended in an official capacity.

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Top Rated Comments

CJM Avatar
81 months ago

Wouldn't it be more appropriate if Apple to Promote Homekit at MacWorld 2020?
No, CES is the bigger show and Apple is trying to push HomeKit more since making a version of it open source for developers. Also interfacing with IoT electronics in the home is exactly what CES is about.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
81 months ago
I just want them to fix the constant bugs I have with HomeKit.

Devices randomly “not responding” even though I can control them fine in their official apps. Controlling certain devices in the Home app actually affecting completely separate devices in a different room. The “status” of lights being the opposite of what they actually are (shows ON when it’s actually OFF and vice versa).

So many little things that just cause a headache, and yet I don’t have these issues when controlling from Alexa or Google.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
81 months ago
Yea I definitely don’t get the HomeKit hate. We moved into a new house last year and I went all in on HomeKit. At the same time I upgraded to Orbi mesh WiFi which I think makes a big difference.

Lutron switches, Hue bulbs, multiple Homepods, Apple TV, Hunter ceiling fan, LiftMaster MyQ for the garage, Ecobee thermostat and remote sensors...all work pretty flawlessly together through the Home app. Even had the Christmas tree and lights on HomeKit this year.

My 4 year old controls scenes through the HomePod on her own. It’s still pretty cool to hear/see.

Looking forward HomeKit in 2020 but really don’t know what I’d need to add at this point.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gcmexico Avatar
81 months ago
I don’t understand all the frustration with Homekit or siri...is it perfect absolutely not...my whole house was set up with Alexa, I’m mean everything! I finally switched to homekit exclusively over the summer, all I own are apple products, iphone, apple watch, apple tv...having Alexa was just not needed when my ecosystem was completely apple. Have set up 4 homepods around the house, cut down from 20 echo devices (dots, shows, speakers, they were everywhere, I give them for free to friends now lol)...my WHOLE house is now controlled by Homekit and Siri, garage doors, all lights, all tv‘s, thermostat, arlos....all products that support homekit work rock solid, apple shortcuts are amazing, products that don’t support homekit I connect with hoobs...that is all you need, if you don’t know how to set homekit up and do the homework then blame yourself...geez! Siri understands my whole family, has hiccups just like Alexa...I can truly say homekit is fine and truly destroys Alexa! try setting up a really cool automation on Alexa, lol please...u can do one on homekit in 2 minutes, if u know what you are doing...what I wish, was that Apple still had wifi routers, I truly believe Homekit would be perfect with a router built by apple for homekit, cheaper homepods, and Apple version of a Alexa show...that is all Homekit needs...people you need to research homekit, figure out what really works with it, and be amazed...don’t fall for the ring traps, where they promise homekit and never deliver, but hey I was still able to integrate ring security with hoobs, and if you don’t know about hoobs and homebridge, that explains why you don’t know anything about homekit...enough ranting...and yes all my blinds and drapes are all controlled by homekit too...rant over
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
81 months ago

Having purchased an Echo Dot (£22.50) and 4 smart plugs (£25) all I can say is Homekit is terrible.
The echo dot can understand my three year old (which is more than I can do most days)
How does this example demonstrate that “Homekit is terrible”? HomeKit is not a digital assistant; it is a unifying protocol. It’s strength is having devices talk to each other — so, for example, activity sensed by a Hue motion sensor can control Lutron lights. It doesn’t in any way affect the functionality you’re talking about, which works just fine alongside HomeKit.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
orbital~debris Avatar
81 months ago

No, it’s an integration problem. This was the holiday I finally gave up on HomeKit. I’ve been diligent in trying to purchase HomeKit and Alexa compatible devices in case I have up on HomeKit, and now I have. I’ve purchased 2 echo dots and an Echo, 2 Firestick 4K’s, and selling my Apple TV’s. I’m done with the headaches.
It’s interesting to read of a totally different experience of HomeKit.

I’ve had nothing but near-perfect use of my HomeKit environment over the last 3 years.

Controlling HomeKit devices via Apple TV, HomePod, Apple Watch, Mac and iOS devices has been reliable and headache-free, and I’m sold on the secure approach Apple have taken.


Having purchased an Echo Dot (£22.50) and 4 smart plugs (£25) all I can say is Homekit is terrible.
I don’t think I follow… are you saying HomeKit is terrible based on competitor price-points, or some other factor?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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