The Latest in IT Security

Your iPhone could soon become the key to your smart home. Apple is apparently preparing to step into home automation in a big way, unveiling software that will allow an iPhone to control home lighting, security systems, and other appliances at its Worldwide Developer Conference on June 2nd, according to the Financial Times. Apple will reportedly allow other companies to make products specifically designed for the iPhones smart home features, with certain privacy limitations and quality checks being required for all of those products, much like those in its existing Made for iPhone program. Its unclear exactly how the automation functionality would be accessed, but the FT reports that a homes lights, for instance, may be able to automatically turn on when someone carrying a paired iPhone walks in the door. Lights could automatically switch on when you return homeThe FT doesnt say exactly how the iPhone will enable all of these features, whether theyll be accessible on existing devices, or whether theyll only work on upcoming ones.