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Haier's new air conditioner is the first Apple-certified home appliance

The Tianzun smart air conditioner will bear Apple's "Made for iPhone/iPod/iPad" seal of approval.

Ry Crist Senior Editor / Reviews - Labs
Originally hailing from Troy, Ohio, Ry Crist is a writer, a text-based adventure connoisseur, a lover of terrible movies and an enthusiastic yet mediocre cook. A CNET editor since 2013, Ry's beats include smart home tech, lighting, appliances, broadband and home networking.
Expertise Smart home technology and wireless connectivity Credentials
  • 10 years product testing experience with the CNET Home team
Ry Crist
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LAS VEGAS -- Promising consumers a simpler, more efficient smart-appliance experience, here at CES this week Chinese manufacturer Haier announced the Tianzun smart air conditioner, the first connected appliance to meet Apple's MFi standards, which certify third-party products for design, quality, and iOS compatibility.

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The remotely configurable Tianzun will automatically connect with Apple devices over Wi-Fi without the need for passwords or registration, and it's thanks to this quick setup process that it met Apple's standards for ease of use. The Tianzun will bear Apple's "Made for iPhone/iPod/iPad" seal of approval, and Haier hopes this endorsement will help it connect with consumers looking for a more accessible and less complex smart-home experience.

Haier's new Apple MFi-certified smart air conditioner is quite the head-turner (pictures)

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Later in 2014, Haier plans on expanding this strategy to other home appliances, including water heaters and ovens, and is currently working to develop an "industrial smart home architecture" that the company claims will eventually turn all of its home appliances into Internet-connected terminals.