[Link: appleinsider.com]

If Jobs were still alive and behind this, then it would be interesting, maybe even something to be concerned about. But since he is dead, they will f*** it up

Sigh.........

Well I can see this taking a chunk out of the iRules and other app only systems. It will get the general public thinking more about what we do and in turn create some sales.

With or without Jobs , they have enough money , influence and " brain power " to change our industry - just as they have changed music , communication and more industries ( not necessarily for better ) . All the big players - Google , AT&T etc. have realized that home automation will be the next " big thing " . I guess , we'll just have to wait and see .....

Apple changed those industries with the guidance of Jobs. Since he died, Apple has given up iTunes Radio, and iOS7. Not really hits.

Yes, obviously all the big companies have taken an interest in automation. And it could be very good for us. Especially since they want to do it all wireless.

I love the smell of hubris in the morning.

They were f'n it up before he was dead

I've been waiting for the tipping point in home automation. In my opinion it will come when consumers actually demand that an item they are purchasing be, for instance, "Apple Automation compatible". It would almost be like a logo on the box - a selling point - much like the Netflix logo becomes a selling point on a DVD player. Suddenly, companies like Sony, Panasonic, and Samsung have to include it in their gear or they will lose sales to a competitor. It will no longer matters if they come up with their own piece of crap App, because there is no demand. If Apple could create this type of urgency, then maybe they are big enough that it could be a game changer.

We all know electronics companies are too stupid to put together a universal platform that is easy to use and works with numerous brands. We all have a job as a result of this!

If Apple can't come up with an easy to use universal platform that other companies have to follow and include in their product as an easily understandable feature, it will never go big time.

It is a general trend that will, in the long run, have a big impact on the CI business.

...And mot in a good way....

This type of stuff will always be geared towards the mass market for people to install in their condos, apartments and average size homes (1600-2400 sq ft).

I doubt it will really scale up or work well in larger homes or be custom enough for high end clients who don't want a lot of little boxes plugged in everywhere and hanging out of outlets.

Even products like the NEST thermostat don't support more than 10 devices per account so can't scale to larger homes or clients with multiple homes.  I found this out the hard way when trying to add the 11th thermostat to a job...


I think it could have a big impact on the trunk slammers and the shops focused on selling to the middle & upper-middle class.  The way to stay ahead of this is to go after the higher end clients that wouldn't fool around with an easy to install automation system even if it did exist.

This is the Custom Installers Lounge... go after the "custom"!

Things like this will have an impact. Look at what Sonos has done.

Not saying the big homes and clients will no longer need us, of course they will. It will just be different systems to install.

We have a client that we have been looking after for 15 years. Monster home (15k Sqft) A friend of his gave him a Sonos piece. He asked if I could set it up to work.
Loved it. Within a month we had pulled his house music system and replaced with Sonos. He didn't care about the set up or our billing, just that it did what he wanted and was easy to use. It worked for his needs very well.

If Apple makes something, you can bet you will have to deal with it at some point.

If they do make something, wonder what it could do to the Savant relationship?

What savant relationship?

I equate consumer grade "home automation" to basic $12 universal remotes you by at the drug store. Yes, it will allow you to use only one "remote", but there will not be any macros, customization, or automation. We all have no problem selling $500+ universal remotes over those $12 remotes. This should be no different. I for one am not worried.