It has been nearly 11 years since Apple introduced its HomeKit smart home framework, and the technical term “HomeKit” is often used to refer to anything related to Apple’s smart home technology. But that’s changing with the upcoming major updates to the company’s operating systems.
The Verifier reports that in the latest tvOS 26 beta, the setting for AirPlay and HomeKit has been changed to AirPlay and Apple Home. This change appears to indicate a new approach to branding Apple’s smart home presence to the consumer. While there are references to HomeKit on Apple’s other platforms, this is the only device that has a prominent HomeKit menu.
The change makes Apple’s smart home tech sound more straightforward and friendlier to the consumer. Most importantly, it establishes consistency with the terminology, a practice that Apple tends to adhere to. For example, the Apple Home rebranding falls in line with the company’s “Works with Apple Home” marketing efforts, where third-party products that are HomeKit compatible feature a special badge on their packaging. Previously, branding referred to as “Works with Apple HomeKit” on compatible devices.
HomeKit has always primarily referred to Apple’s developer APIs, and the term will surely continue to be used in that fashion.
The Verifier reasons that the rebranding is also symbolic of a “significant expansion of Apple’s smart home capabilities.” That’s certainly possible, with rumors of a new home hub and/or a HomePod with a large touchscreen display floating around for years, and we’ve also heard about a redesign of the Home app. But until Apple gets its Siri development in order, we’ll have to continue waiting for that “significant expansion.”
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