A regularly updated stream of HomeKit and HomeKit-enabled accessory news!

Thanks to Apple’s HomeKit framework, dozens of companies can create smart home products that work together in a secure, user friendly way. From the HomeKit pairing process to the use of iPads and Apple TVs as HomeKit hubs within the home, Apple has crafted an elegant way to control your smart home products. The framework’s popularity means news about HomeKit and HomeKit-enabled devices breaks all the time; bookmark this page and check back regularly for the latest, greatest, or most outrageous smart home news.

May 9, 2017 – Quadriplegic man uses HomeKit and Apple’s accessibility integrations to improve his independence

NBC News published an empowering story about an IT consultant named Todd Stabelfeldt who uses Apple’s HomeKit framework to live a more independent life. Stabelfeldt is a 38-year-old quadriplegic man who, as the result of an injury when he was eight years old, has had no movement below his should…

4 months in, do you still enjoy using your AirPods?

It’s been a number of months since Apple introduced their AirPods, and reactions have been mixed since the very beginning.

From memes comparing them to Q-tips and dental floss, to others complaining about their small size and lose-ability, to some saying they were some of the best wireless earphones they’ve ever used, the word AirPod certainly inspires to polarize the masses.

But now that a bit of time has passed… Are you still in love with your AirPods?

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This is how you protect your Switch screen from getting scratched by the dock.

You may have heard that some people are experiencing issues with scratches on their Switch screen from taking it out and putting it into the Dock. There is very little wiggle room in-between the handheld device and the TV connector Dock, and if you’re not careful, you might scratch it.

One simple way to solve this problem is with a screen protector, which is … fine. Another way — and my personal favorite — is with a handmade Dock sock. It’s a protective sleeve made from some kind of cloth that slips over the front panel of the Dock and protects your screen as you place and remove your Switch into it.

If you are crafty with a needle and thread, you can make yourself a customized Dock Sock for your Switch in just a few hours. I made mine while watching horror films on a Tuesday night. Here’s how I did it.

What you’ll need

You’ll need a few crafting items to make this project. If you have…

Putting together a smart home takes time, money, patience, and a little elbow grease.

I’ve been building out my smart home (I’m still not entirely sold on that term) for quite awhile. I’ve got smart lights, smart plugs, smart motion sensors, smart fans, a smart garage door … I’ll save you the time and sum things up: I’ve got a boat-load of smart gadgetry in my home. And as I’ve built things out, set up automations, cut back, expanded, swapped out products, upgraded devices, and more, I’ve come to realize there are a few apps, tools, and products that have made my smart home experience a delight.

Whether this will be your first foray into smart home territory or you’re a seasoned home automator who’s just itching to expand, I’ve put together a list of five things every smart home owner should have to make their experience all the more delightful and all the more useful!

1. An app to control your smart home

No one smart-home-product manufacturer has been successful in prov…

Persisting device identification after deletion, after wiping, and hiding it from Apple — just another day in the life of Uber?

Uber has been caught egregiously violating user privacy and App Store guidelines by persisting device identifications even when the Uber app was deleted and the device wiped.

Mike Issac, writing for The New York Times:

For months, Mr. Kalanick had pulled a fast one on Apple by directing his employees to help camouflage the ride-hailing app from Apple’s engineers. The reason? So Apple would not find out that Uber had been secretly identifying and tagging iPhones even after its app had been deleted and the devices erased — a fraud detection maneuver that violated Apple’s privacy guidelines.

But Apple was on to the deception, and when Mr. Kalanick arrived at the midafternoon meeting sporting his favorite pair of bright red sneakers and hot-pink socks, Mr. Cook was prepared. ”So, I’ve heard you’ve been breaking some of our rules,” Mr. Cook s…

Long Lightning cables can be super handy at times, but there are times when you just want something really short so it doesn’t get in the way. Ventev’s 6-inch option is great for those times when you just need a little cable, and right now you can pick one up for just $10.
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Make sure you have the VR Headset which offers the most complete experience for Star Trek: Bridge Crew.

One of the most anticipated VR games of the last couple years is finally coming out soon. You should get ready for the launch by picking a good VR Headset to complete the experience.

Read more at VR Heads!
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The Lightning cables that come with your Apple devices are decent cables that are guaranteed to work perfectly, but they’re not exactly durable. We’ve all seen the effects some use has on these cables; they get dirty and grungy-looking, they can get pinched, and use finally start to see some of the wiring being exposed around ends. Once that happens, they stop working properly and eventually crap out.

Get a durable, industrial grade Lightning cable for $30 Learn more

If you live the rugged life or just use your Lightning cables a lot, then you need a third-party cable that’s MFi-certified and able to can stand up to daily wear and tear — and then some. Braided Lightning cables are good, but we’ve got something even tougher for you today.

The Fuse Chicken Titan Plus MFi Lightning Cable is only $30 from iMore Digital Offers. This 1.5 meter cable are made with two layers of flexible, high-strength steel to create a lasting cord that can take whatever life throws its way. Re…

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