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Apple to Re-Release Revamped HomeKit Architecture in iOS 16.4

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Apr 12, 2001
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Apple in its upcoming iOS 16.4 update will re-introduce the revamped HomeKit architecture it originally pulled in December due to widespread issues, MacRumors can confirm.

homekit-showdown-2-thumb.jpg

Backend code indicates that Apple is ready to re-introduce the updated Home architecture that was released with the iOS 16.2 update, only to be pulled a week after launch because of bugs and installation issues.

At the time, Apple said the removal was temporary and that the upgrade option would "return soon," but new code references discovered by Nicolás Álvarez (@nicolas09F9) indicate that the architecture will indeed return with the release of iOS 16.4, beginning with the first beta that could arrive as soon as this week.

Apple says that the update improves the reliability and efficiency of communication between smart home accessories and Apple devices, and it is something that Apple has been working on since iOS 16 was announced at WWDC in June 2022.

When the Home architecture was first released, it caused some ‌HomeKit‌ devices to disappear from ‌HomeKit‌ setups or to become stuck with a "configuring/updating" status. It also resulted in invitations to share the Home with others failing, and it broke ‌HomeKit‌ Secure video recording for some users.

Article Link: Apple to Re-Release Revamped HomeKit Architecture in iOS 16.4
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2023/02/08/apple-release-homekit-architecture-ios-16-4/
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nt5672

macrumors 68040
Jun 30, 2007
3,336
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If iCould is any example, then it will take about 5 years for HomeKit to work anywhere near what we expect.

I really wish Apple fans would refuse to put up with Apple's poor quality software releases.

Apple has the resources to get it right the first time, but for some reason they don't. Sure there may be missing features, but what they release should, outside of corner cases, just work.

It is almost like they are outsourcing software development to high schoolers and totally ignoring testing.
 
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chrono1081

chrono1081

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Jan 26, 2008
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nt5672 said:
It is almost like they are outsourcing software development to high schoolers and totally ignoring testing.
Click to expand...

That's leetcode interviews for you, and Apple (and other big guys) do them. They favor people (generally college grads) who can answer tricky questions (since tricky questions are how you learn to code) over people who build real world, scalable systems each day for years. People doing the real work generally don't have the time to go back and review tricky questions just for interview purposes.

It's really stupid how the software dev field has become.
 
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Mike_Trivisonno

Mike_Trivisonno

macrumors 6502
Jul 11, 2015
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I have a bunch of smart devices and Siri and Homekit are totally useless. Google Home just works. HomeKit is the most bewildering piece of software I've ever encountered. It's very pretty to look at but impossible to configure. I love Apple products and would love to use HomeKit but it is just so crappy I gave up after a few hours of messing with it.

Google Home, sadly, is so much better than HomeKit. Now I am just waiting for HomeKit to be able to detect my smart devices and let me manage them as effortlessly as Google Home.
 
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siddavis

macrumors 6502a
Feb 23, 2009
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CalebEdenburn said:
I haven't been able to invite people to my Home since 16.2 dropped. I really hope this fixes it.
Click to expand...
I'm in the same boat, but since 16.1. That and a whole slew of issues with Home, and I did not even update to the new architecture. None of my automations work, and all of my scenes only work halfway - always get a "failed" message.

Everything in my Apple ecosystem is a complete mess right now. I ask Siri on my Apple Watch to turn on X lights, and it tells me that I have no Homekit items set up yet. Funny, I have probably 20+ in Home. I always get notifications that I left my Airpod Pros behind even when I'm using them. Then I get notifications that an unknown Airpod Pro is with me... yeah, mine!

Don't even try to contact Apple Support. They are clueless and make promises that they simply have not intention and cannot keep. Since 16.1 and not being able to add anyone to my Home (even my son that is in my Family Share!), they told me engineers would look into it and I would get a phone call back. That was 5-6 weeks ago.

Then there's the promised "features" that either never materialize or come 6-12 months later.

Their SW releases are becoming a complete joke.
 
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Kylo83

Kylo83

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Apr 2, 2020
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What happens if I done it with 16.2 and everything is fine would I get another update or would it be the same
 
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