14 DAY TRIAL // Instead of relying on hardware that people must buy to make contact with the company, Insteon has decided to rival CES-attending accessory makers not just with an army of devices, but also a clever app that can command any HomeKit-compatible device out there.
Unlike iDevices and Incipio, who offer apps that only work with their respective hardware, Insteon has announced a new app that supports HomeKit technology for home management.
According to the press release prepared for Insteon’s presence at CES 2015, the Insteon App lets any iPhone user control any HomeKit device, “regardless of brand or product type.” CEO Joe Dada is quoted as saying that, “This brings together more products from more manufacturers under a single platform than we’ve ever seen.”
The app is free to download and use indefinitely, so naturally Insteon isn’t relying on this product alone to make a living. What they’re doing is they’re reeling in users to ultimately consider buying their own gear, which probably works even better with the company’s app.
A new HomeKit-enabled Insteon Hub is being demoed at CES, including switches, outlets, thermostats, and light bulbs, all tailored to work with the HomeKit ecosystem. Theirs is even available for pre-order for $149.99 (€125.34).
Insteon’s existing Hub app also supports the Works With Nest program and includes improvements thanks to a recent software update.