Broadcom on Tuesday announced that the software development kit for its Wireless Internet Connectivity for Embedded Devices (WICED) platform has been fully vetted by Apple for use with the HomeKit framework, paving the way for wider adoption of the iOS-connected Internet of Things protocol.
With the WICED platform, Broadcom offers developers and OEMs a complete package solution for building HomeKit-compatible IoT devices. Broadcom was one of the first vendors to roll out Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chip packages installed with HomeKit firmware.
"Today we reached another milestone for our WICED family with full HomeKit support for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Smart," said Brian Bedrosian, Broadcom's Senior Director of Product Marketing, Wireless Connectivity. "By delivering a complete IoT platform with HomeKit compliance we are enabling developers and OEMs to deliver highly interoperable home connectivity solutions for the optimal consumer experience."
Apple first introduced HomeKit at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2014, promising iOS device users control access to connected home products like light switches, smart thermostats and more. At the time, Apple touted integration with Siri, saying iPhone and iPad owners would soon be able to use the virtual assistant to communicate with networked HomeKit hardware.
Since HomeKit's debut, compatible devices have been slow to market, but framework building blocks are slowly falling in place. In March, for example, chipmaker Marvell became the first Apple HomeKit partner to ship a HomeKit compliant SDK, while GE last week announced a line of compatible LED bulbs.