I can only assume it's because of the competitive relationship between Apple and Google, but I'm really disappointed to see that the Nest family of products is excluded from Homekit.
Foolish decision, since I'm sure I'm not alone in already integrating Nest into my home and using the Nest app on my phone. I guess they wanted to be sure Homekit was completely irrelevant to me...
iPhone, iOS 10
Google, and Nest products are in direct competition with Apple and their proprietary home kit technology. Google paid $3.2B for Nest labs and used it to launch Google Home. The two technologies use quite different secure communication protocols, so are not inherently compatible and Nest would have to be specifically re-engineered to be so. Google doesn't want you to use Nest with Home kit - they want you to use Nest with their system. Time will tell which competitor wins out in the end.
Fair enough.
After trying several camera systems, I settled on Nest because of its ease of use, and the "plays well with others" app for iOS.
I've got a folder on my phone specifically for useless (to me) apps that can't be deleted, looks like there's a new kid in class.
It's also worth noting that the best way to beat a competitor is to provide a better product.
Blocking their already better (IMHO) product from working on your late to the party platform is weak.
Anyway, I was just looking to explore the features of my new phone, but am content to stay with the Nest app, just annoyed.
The whole home automation market is so new and small yet, there are going to be all sorts of changes and clashes in the next few years as companies bring out new devices and services. That's why Google snatched up Nest Labs and worked it into its re-org - there's a huge untapped market there and it is going to take awhile for any sort of market leader, standards and so forth to come about. Right now I think a lot of companies think if they can get in and establish a proprietary based technology, they can grab a market share. But like any new and emerging market, it will be tough for consumers for awhile at least as standards will change and competition will be fierce.
I will say for right now, I do think Apple's Home Kit system has the edge in terms of strong security (Home Kit requires full end to end encryption on all communications between all devices). But that also means device designers have to go through a more involved device certification to get Home Kit compatible since it is an Apple proprietary technology.
Alexander Hirsch wrote:
It's also worth noting that the best way to beat a competitor is to provide a better product.
Blocking their already better (IMHO) product from working on your late to the party platform is weak.
Anyway, I was just looking to explore the features of my new phone, but am content to stay with the Nest app, just annoyed.
It's not my platform, its Apple's. We on these forums are just fellow users of Apple products like yourself. There is almost no Apple Corporate presence in these discussion forums.
Sorry for the miscommunication, I was referring to Apple rather than you. Just venting and certainly appreciate the dialogue.
Alexander Hirsch wrote:
Fair enough.
After trying several camera systems, I settled on Nest because of it's ease of use, and the "plays well with others" app for iOS.
I've got a folder on my phone specifically for useless (to me) apps that can't be deleted, looks like there's a new kid in class.
With iOS 10 most of those apps, including Home, can now be deleted if you wish.
See Remove built-in Apple apps from the Home screen on your iOS device with iOS 10 - Apple Support.
tt2
Nest Cam excluded from Homekit?
