Apple appears to be expanding its smart home ecosystem with upcoming "second-party" HomeKit products. According to a report from 9to5Mac, these upcoming accessories are set to integrate an exclusive feature reserved specifically for iPhone users.
While Apple has traditionally relied on third-party manufacturers to build out its HomeKit catalog alongside its own first-party hardware, a "second-party" approach suggests closer collaboration with partner brands. This arrangement could allow for deeper hardware and software synergy than standard third-party accessories typically offer.
The addition of an iPhone-exclusive capability highlights Apple’s continued push to make the iPhone an indispensable central hub for managing the connected home, further tying users into its hardware ecosystem.
For full details and further insights into the upcoming hardware, check the original report on 9to5Mac.
