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Apple launching interactive HomeKit Demo stations in 46 stores

Readers who are finding it difficult to understand the various uses of Apple’s HomeKit or why they would even want to buy smart home devices can now learn more about these technologies at a nearby Apple store.

The firm has announced interactive demonstration stations for smart home technology in 46 of its outlets throughout the world and it plans to introduce non-interactive facilities to the rest.

The interactive demo facilities include huge displays showing smart home devices as well as an iPad, iPhone and Apple Watch, which shoppers can then use to control them live.

HomeKit is the company’s innovative technology for managing thermostats, smart lights, garage door openers, door locks, ceiling fans, and window shades, amongst others. Devices that can be controlled via HomeKit can also interact with one another. Apple has a single app from which users can control all these devices, even if they are made by different manufacturers.



The company’s decision to add interactive stations and HomeKit displays to its stores is a clever move as it will give potential buyers who are unfamiliar with smart home technology an idea of what it can do. It also makes it significantly easier to grasp what home automation really means and how it can become part of 21st century life.

As with any new technology, there will likely be a certain amount of consumer resistance initially. However, once it is illustrated to consumers how smart home devices and HomeKit can be used in a typical home, it is expected that the technology will be assimilated into a large number of households.

Since it is unrealistic to expect anyone to buy something they don’t fully understand, it’s great to see Apple taking steps to educate individuals about smart home technology. Apple’s decision doesn’t only benefit itself as a company β€” it also benefits manufacturers of smart home devices.

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About the author

Chris

I've been a passionate evangelist for Apple and the Macintosh throughout my working life, my first love was a Quadra 605 working with a small creative agency in the south of Norfolk UK in the mid 1990's, I later progressed to other roles in other Macintosh dominated industries, first as a Senior graphic designer at a small printing company and then a production manager at Guardian Media Group. As the publishing and printing sector wained I moved into Internet Marketing and in 2006 co-founded blurtit.com which grew to become one the top 200 visited sites in the US (according to Quantcast), at its peak receiving over 15 million visits per month. For the last ten years I have worked as an Affiliate and Consultant to many different business and start ups, my key skill set being online marketing, on page monetisation, landing page optimisation and traffic generation, if you would like to hire me or discuss your current project please reach out to me here.

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