Siri comes home: Lutron kicks off the HomeKit product rollout

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Editors' note (June 2, 2015): Lutron told us that, "All US Apple stores should have it [the Caséta Wireless Lighting Starter Kit] in stores tomorrow morning [that's today, June 2]." As of right now (about 11:15am ET), they aren't currently available at the Apple Store in Louisville, KY. Check back for updates.

Lutron hasn't been a very vocal partner of Apple's HomeKit home automation system, but it's making itself heard today with the retail launch of its $230 Caséta Wireless Lighting Starter Kit, available in Apple Stores throughout North and South America (with the exception of Brazil) as well as on Amazon.

Not only will this package be the first piece of HomeKit hardware to see the light of day, but complete with a Smart Bridge hub, two plug-in light dimmer modules and two remote controls, it's also supposed to be mostly fully operational today, too. That means that a phrase like, "Hey Siri, turn on the lights" should actually work if you decide to rush to your local Apple Store and set up one of these kits today. (I plan to do just that later, so stay tuned.)

It also means that this whole HomeKit thing is starting to make some tangible headway. And, interestingly, we're not hearing about it through an official unveiling by Apple at next week's WWDC conference, but by a brand that only just joined the smart home game in 2014 with the launch of its original Smart Bridge hub.

Round one of the Apple HomeKit product rollout (pictures)

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Although I haven't seen the new HomeKit-compatible Smart Bridge in person just yet, I did get the chance to preview one over Skype with Lutron Product Development Manager Matt Swatsky.

Judging over a video stream, the hub looks pretty much the same as, if not identical to, the original. It's a hunk of white plastic that connects to your router and helps translate Clear-Connect (that's Lutron's proprietary protocol) through lighting accessories, so you can dim your LED, halogen and incandescent bulbs, set schedules and more via the companion Lutron Android or iOS app.

Swatsky told me that an update to the existing app will allow for Siri integration today, but that it won't include remote Siri access (that's what I meant by mostly fully operational). Specifically, "The Siri part will all work while you're inside the house," Swatsky said, "so if I go to my iPhone or iPad, as long as I'm in the house it works. If you want to do it remotely, you do need an Apple TV to bridge that." This matches what CNET and others reported about Apple TV's role in HomeKit device control back in January.

Fortune reported last month that the HomeKit launch had been delayed, but Apple swiftly denied it. Even so, it sure seems like some sort of Apple TV holdup is happening behind the scenes, although it clearly hasn't slowed Lutron down.

However, integration with Wink and Staples Connect -- two third-party partners available on the original Smart Bridge -- doesn't seem to be a likely addition to the new version. According to Swatsky, "Our [new] Smart Bridge is HomeKit-enabled. I can't speak to what their plans are."

In addition to the plug-in wall dimmers that are part of the $230 Caséta Wireless Lighting Starter Kit available in Apple Stores today, Lutron also sells in-wall dimmers and window shades that it says will work with the new Smart Bridge and app. Swatsky says that they can be controlled by Siri as well, but these products will be limited to online retailers and dealers as they have a more involved installation process.

I'm en-route to the Apple Store here in Louisville, so be sure to check back soon for our hands-on updates on the Caséta Wireless Lighting Starter Kit.