jay (support) wrote:The same could be said for controlling Apple TV's remotely. In fact, many of us expected it eventually but it never happened
But one difference there was that it was always an encrypted closed source setup, whereas HomeKit has a well documented API and because of that it's been adopted much more. If it started out as encrypted and unavailable then I agree, but since it started as open then it would seem to be a big mistake for them to close it up. I don't know, maybe it's being hopeful, but I really do think that accessing HomeKit via Homebridge will be around for a while and, if not, oh well.
Different Computers wrote:Any hints what new superpowers the new version will have?
Well, for starters,
every HomeKit device will be
natively available, so not having to stick to just the 8 or so devices that are defined. From the obscure to the common, from CO2 sensors down to the humble outlet (yea, it's different than a switch). So from 8 devices to around 70 - which makes the app much more usable.
Each device you link up will have the ability to have custom sources for the data. Right now if you want temperature and humidity in HomeKit you need to either put up the WUnderground homebridge add-on or use Device Extensions to create a virtual thermostat and put it out there like that, now you can use the actual devices and point them to whatever device state, attribute, property or variable you want.
Wrappers and Aliases will no longer be a part of the plugin because they won't be needed. Just like the Alexa Bridge lets you alias a device when you select it, so does the new HomeKit Bridge (working title). Wrappers are also part of this routine to a smaller extent and if you need to supercharge it you can either use HBB for Wrappers or Device Extensions, which has also gotten a major overhaul to make it play with the new plugin.
There's a LOT more but those are the highlights. I'm probably going to be ready to drop an Alpha in the next two weeks or so, I'm running it myself right now and it's working well but I still have a lot of work to do on the Homebridge side of things before it's ready.