iOS 10 expected to bring standalone HomeKit app

Apple’s upcoming iOS 10 update will bring a dedicated HomeKit app that will give users greater control over smart home devices, according to an apparent Apple employee, who works in the company’s marketing department.

Apple has previously trademarked a HomeKit app icon (above), and there were suggestions that a “Home” app would debut inside iOS 9, which was rolled out last fall. Although that didn’t arrive, it seems Apple is still working on it for this September’s update.

Believe it or not, an Apple employee spilled the beans in an Amazon review, which reads:

As I work in marketing for Apple, we test many Smart Home devices, especially for iOS HomeKit integration. […]

Some advice, there are many third party applications, most free, that offer more control and customization(s) with many Smart Home devices. “Yonomi” is a free app that I often use, “Home” is another which cost $14.99. Both offer support for many devices with more added daily (including Amazon “Echo”). The next version of iOS due this fall will have a standalone “HomeKit” app as well.

MacRumors reports that it has been able to verify this review was posted by a real Apple employee, who can be found on LinkedIn. But we should still bear in mind that Apple’s plans could change between now and September.

Apple’s HomeKit platform already provides a single standard that marries smart devices with iPhones and iPads, but you still need an app for each one. With a standalone HomeKit app, you could, presumably, control every compatible gadget from one place.

iOS 10 will be previewed for the first time at WWDC 2016 in mid-June. It will then be made available in beta form for registered developers and public testers before rolling out to all this fall.