iBeacon is a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication technology that enables mobile applications to capture and react to beacon signals in the physical world. It allows mobile apps to calculate their position on a micro scale and deliver hyper-contextual content to users based on their location. We take a look at how these two Internet of Things (IoT) efforts from Apple will work together to simplify our lives.

iBeacon on HomeKit

Currently, Apple has largely marketed iBeacon for the retail environment. With HomeKit, Apple’s homegrown BLE technology will be accessible to a larger customer base setting up a smart home. At its most basic level, the iBeacon will inform the Apple smart home of the user’s presence when they arrive home and all systems will turn on according to preset conditions to welcome them and be ready to use.

Using iBeacon on smart home devices

iBEacon can be used to define actions for smart devices such as lighting, fans, heating/cooling systems, television, etc. among other things. With Siri integration, simple voice commands and spoken reminders will automate systems and wake up devices. Different apps such as the Calendar app and Notes app can also be used to work in conjunction with Home Kit and iBeacon to give commands to the various smart devices around the house.

HomeKit currently offers native support with iBeacon for controlling lighting around the house, there’s a lot more that can be done if you stretch your imagination. For example, a beacon attached to the key will help your smartphone track the key when it gets lost inside the house. Also, when the key is inserted into the lock, the lights programmed in various ways will turn on as soon as the house is entered.

Apple iBeacon for home

In 2014, Apple submitted a proposal to create the first dedicated iBeacon – compatible beacon hardware for its Smart Home product. Apple iBeacon will turn your iPhone, iPad, or other compatible iOS device into a temporarily discoverable beacon. Thus, used with HomeKit, the user will be able to control locks, lights, doors, security cameras, switches, plugs, kitchen appliances and much more. Apple will not supply the hardware for iBeacon as many third party hardware beacon devices are already available. Apple iBeacon will act more like a centralized control center that can be activated from the iPhone or iWatch.

What kind of smart home apps can you create with iBeacon and HomeKit?

There are a plethora of apps available to control lighting and other basic activities within the home. However, these have not yet been fully developed to be truly effective. We bring you some ideas where iBeacon can be applied with HomeKit to create a smart living space.

An iBeacon to notify selected recipients of your arrival. For example, the presence of family members can be detected through the app when they enter or leave the house.

Automatically lock or turn off household appliances such as computers, laptops or televisions in the house when the beacon device is not nearby

Take photos from the security camera or webcam remotely and send them via email by activating the camera with the iBeacon. In this way, any intruder photographs can be securely captured and stored even when the resident of the house is not at home.

Turn on the music system in the car or at home to play any specific song when the beacon device is nearby

The beacons are easy to install and configure and shipments of BLE beacons are expected to exceed 400 million units in the next five years according to a report by ABI Research. With iOS 10 set to hit markets next year, the use of iBeacon technology will soon go mainstream globally.