Despite its popularity and being an industry leader in the tech world, it looks like Apple has found one reason to feel threatened after Amazon and Google were reported to have dominated the smart-home technology. Reports have come out recently that the iPhone maker is taking the initiative to strengthen its promotion of smart-home devices.
Bloomberg reports, "Apple is ramping up hiring for a team that's working on new smart-home devices and software in an initiative to catch up" in an industry where Amazon.com Inc. and Google have ruled. The giant tech company is currently looking for engineers to work in its headquarters in California and San Diego as part of a team revamping the smart-home platform. The refurbishing is designed to make more external accessory and appliance manufacturers connect smart-home products like garage doors and lights using the voice-activated digital assistant of iPhone and other Apple products.
Recruiting to Enhance HomeKit Smart
Even though Apple has posted job listings on its website since last month, there is no confirmation from the company yet about its concrete plan in the future. In fact, as reported on Bloomberg, the company has been recruiting its potential candidates privately. From the time it started recruiting, Apple has already hired several new managers and engineers earlier this year from Qualcomm, Amazon, and other companies.
Winning a position in the smart-home market is crucial for Apple since it is now looking for new products to offer beyond its bestselling iPhone. More so, the company looks for more ways to keep its customers buying services and products beyond its popular smartphone. The world-famous tech company had its first attempt at smart-home devices in 2014. It launched Home-Kit, a platform connected to Siri connecting smart-home devices to any Apple product such as iPad, iPhone, HomePod, and Apple Watch.
Technology Make-Over at Home
Apple's initiative to hire new engineers aims to make technology use more efficient. At present, its HomeKit provides the users with the Home app on most of its gadgets, allowing the users to lock and unlock their doors, open blinds, control the TV and speakers via the Airplay protocol, and connect to sprinklers. And, while both Google and Amazon have unveiled their Google and Alexa to third-party products, voice assistant Siri is available exclusively for Apple devices. However, it can control any third-party product through the HomeKit.
Apple has listed around 450 devices compatible with HomeKit. For Amazon, its Alexa works with over 80,000 smart-home products from its over 9,000 manufacturers. Google, on the other hand, says its platform is working with over 10,000 devices from a thousand brands. This then means a lot of catching up for Apple to gain its position in the smart-home market.
