How about an iToaster?
Apple will unveil new software for turning the iPhone into a snazzy remote control for adjusting the heat, turning off the lights and running various household appliances, a new report says.
The tech giant is hoping to make a splash with smart-home automation at its Worldwide Developer Conference in San Francisco on June 2, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.
Apple is talking to electronics and appliance makers about certifying their products to work with its system, similar to its “Made for iPhone” label that it bestowed on headphones and other compatible accessories, according to the paper.
The Cupertino, Calif.-based company is going after rivals Google and Samsung with the new software platform.
In January, Google spent $3.2 billion to acquire Nest Labs, a maker of sleekly designed Web-enabled thermostats and smoke detectors.
Nest was founded by former Apple execs who worked on the iPod and iPhone.
Samsung also took a big step into home automation with a line of “smart” refrigerators, washing machines and TV sets that can be controlled using its smartphones and watches.
Apple first hinted at its smart-home ambitions in a patent filing published in November.