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Apple to Unveil 'Smart Home' Software Next Week, Rumors Say

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Smart home
A "smart" house is one that can be controlled remotely -- or even better, controls itself. (Image credit: Brian A Jackson, Shutterstock)

Rumors are circulating that Apple is poised to introduce a new software platform next week that will enable people to use their iPhones or iPads to control lights, appliances, thermostats and other devices in their homes.

Apple could present the "smart home" technologies at the company's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC), which is being held June 2-6 in San Francisco, according to PC Mag. The new software is designed to streamline smart home capabilities, and make it easier to use Apple devices to program anything from fridges to TVs to air conditioning units.

Apple is one of several companies touting the future of smart home innovations. In January, Google purchased Nest Labs Inc., a company that produces smart thermostats and smoke alarms, for $3.2 billion. At this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Samsung unveiled its Smart Home concept, which includes programmable smart TVs and home appliances that can connect to Samsung smartphones, reported PC Mag.

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Denise Chow
Denise Chow
Live Science Contributor

Denise Chow was the assistant managing editor at Live Science before moving to NBC News as a science reporter, where she focuses on general science and climate change. Before joining the Live Science team in 2013, she spent two years as a staff writer for Space.com, writing about rocket launches and covering NASA's final three space shuttle missions. A Canadian transplant, Denise has a bachelor's degree from the University of Toronto, and a master's degree in journalism from New York University.