Apple Home App Adds Robot Vacuum Control & Guest Access in iOS 18 Update

With the release of iOS 18, the Apple Home app is set to embrace functionality for robot vacuum cleaners, as revealed during the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote on Monday. Through this application, users already have the capability to manage an array of smart home accessories, including lighting and security apparatus, leveraging a HomePod or Apple TV as a centralized smart home hub. The forthcoming update from the tech powerhouse headquartered in Cupertino will furthermore unlock a guest access feature, which allows for temporal control over smart devices within one's residence.

Enhancements to the Apple Home Application

At the WWDC 2024 summit, the incorporation of robot vacuum cleaner management via the Apple Home application was prominently featured. This new addition, scheduled for deployment later in the year, facilitates the dispatching of commands to these cleaning devices through Siri. Users can instruct their devices to commence cleaning, alternate cleaning mode preferences, or verify the energy levels.

Essential operations of robot vacuum cleaners, as affirmed by Apple, will be accessible through the Home app. This encompasses the adjustment of power settings, selection of cleaning modes, execution of vacuuming or mopping tasks, and monitoring of battery levels.

Introducing Guest Access in Apple Home

The feature of guest access is also on the horizon, enabling device proprietors to grant conditional access to their smart home gadgets to infrequent visitors. Furthermore, proprietors can arrange access times for guests, facilitated by smart home keys leveraging ultrawide-band (UWB) technology, the company supplemented.

This feature is anticipated to launch with the public release of iOS 18 in the Fall, aligning possibly with the debut of the much-anticipated iPhone 16 lineup in September, in keeping with Apple's historical launch patterns.

Compatibility of iOS 18

Despite iOS 18 introducing a mix of enhanced and fresh features, not all iPhone models will qualify for the update. According to Apple, only iPhone XR models and those succeeding up to the iPhone 15 Pro Max are slated for the upgrade, meaning all devices that transitioned to iOS 17 the preceding year will transition to iOS 18.

However, it's important to note, features driven by Apple Intelligence, or artificial intelligence, will be exclusively available on devices powered by the A17 Pro SoC, including the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, as highlighted by the company.