A new patent granted to Apple suggests that the company plans to include a smoke detector in the iPhone, iPad and other other iDevices.
A smoke alarm built in portable devices such as smartphones and tablets is a novel idea. Apple's plan to add a smoke detector to its iDevices can protect people and their homes from potential fire incidents.
An Apple Insider report explains that a small smoke detection sensor will be installed in an iDevice, which will be similar to the ones found in normal smoke detectors. The sensors can alert users when it detects smoke and also communicate with emergency services.
Moreover, the technology can also activate fire suppression system in the house. The smoke detection system can also transmit data such as the house address, individual device location and building layout to emergency services.
Location data can play a very vital role for firefighters to effectively respond to a fire incident and locate occupants.
Apple does not limit the smoke detection technology only to its iPhones and iPads. The smoke detection sensors may also make its way to other Apple devices such as the Apple Watch, Apple TV and Apple's Macs.
The concept of smart homes is developing in many parts of the world. Apple already has a service called HomeKit that allows home automation by allowing users to control compatible devices with a simple touch of a button.
"HomeKit is a framework for communicating with and controlling connected accessories in a user's home. You can enable users to discover HomeKit accessories in their home and configure them, or you can create actions to control those devices. Users can group actions together and trigger them using Siri," per Apple.
In the future, iDevices can detect smoke and can activate fire suppression system via HomeKit. Currently, Alphabet's (formerly Google) Nest thermostat and Nest Protect smoke alarm can be connected to iOS devices to manage smart homes. Smoke detection systems in iDevices may help Apple to replace these third-party smoke detection alarms.
