AppleInsider Staff
The Promenade at Communications Hill in San Jose, Calif., will be the first HomeKit-enabled community, featuring built-in Apple-connected smart home connectivity for prospective buyers.
By integrating HomeKit during manufacturing, homebuilder KB Home aims to have the most seamless HomeKit support possible. Apple-certified accessories will allow homeowners control of lighting, temperature, door locks and more from an iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch.
KB Home now has a model home to view at Promenade at Communications Hill. Pricing starts in the low $900,000s, though HomeKit packages run extra.
The three-story homes range in square footage from 2,148 to 2,178, and they can be built with up to five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a two-car garage.
Though Apple authorizes HomeKit accessories through a certification process, the company does not make any of its own smart home appliances, instead relying on third-party vendors. KB Home did not indicate which HomeKit partners it is utilizing for its HomeKit-enabled community.
Beyond the Promenade at Communications Hill, the Apple HomeKit package from KB Home is also available for buyers at Magnolia at Patterson Ranch.
Apple announced last month that it expects to have more than 100 HomeKit-certified accessories available by the end of this year. Most recently, iHome began shipping its 5-in-1 environment sensing SmartMonitor, tracking motion, temperature, humidity, sound and more.
Christine McKee
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
9 Comments
doesn't need LCD screen, but price needs to be less than $20
This could be the future for Apple.
I wouldn't mind seeing Apple acquiring a 3rd party appliance company and subsidizing neighborhoods to include Apple HomeKit devices exclusively and ready to go.
I can see Apple designing entire neighborhoods in the future.
Apple needs to start making their own HomeKit hardware. Third party support is great but it slows them down. They're at the mercy of others. Maybe buy some of the smaller companies like Canary, Ecobee, August, etc.
Oh gosh...don't go down the we need to buy XYZ company. We'll have Sog in here spamming the thread up with how much he hates Tim Cook and that he's not doing his job.
This is being marketed in the wrong city. Raise your hand if you want your product selections made for you by killer-block-head homes because you don't understand technology or at least like driving to Best Buy.