Apple still reserves numerous functions of its smart home standard for its own apps. A group of developers are protesting against this via a petition.
A group of developers has started a petition to get Apple to further open up its HomeKit smart home ecosystem. The action initiated by the team behind the “Controller for HomeKit” app is aimed directly at Apple’s software chief Craig Federighi. It should ensure that third-party programs with HomeKit access are no longer cut, according to the petition published on Change.org.
Various functions marked as private
The main concern of the creators is that Apple also releases functions for external developers that the company has currently only intended for itself. The Controller for HomeKit team based in Berg, Palatinate, explains this in more detail in its blog. So currently only Apple can run so-called hidden scenes, control hidden devices such as HomePods or use hidden triggers for automation. Unique device identifiers and device notifications are also only available to Apple. Also, adding devices is limited to the Home app.
Most of these features are present in the API, but Apple has marked them as private frameworks—so the company could open them up if it wanted to. This would enable app providers to offer features that are easier to use than Apple does in the Home app. Among other things, Controller for HomeKit offers the possibility of querying further details about devices, managing HomeKit codes and carrying out more extensive automation than the Home app. There is also a backup function, although this is limited by Apple itself.
“Apple needs to give us access to all HomeKit features.”
The HomeKit petition now states that Apple should release the private functions that have been blocked “for no apparent reason”. In addition to the mentioned problem areas, adjustable lighting and the automation of devices without scenes are also mentioned here. “These restrictions are the reason HomeKit apps are unable to implement many of the features most requested by users.” This caused complaints with the app providers. The conclusion: “Apple must give us access to all HomeKit functions.” Alternatively, the group must at least provide a reason for functions where this is not possible.
The petition has only been online for a few days, but has already collected almost 850 signatures. The makers around the developer Markus Getto hope that as many users as possible will participate – and above all that Apple will react.
