The field of programming continues to move into the public sphere through the Internet of Things (IoT); this provides the layperson with the ability to control various home appliances and domestic devices. The applications that control these smart homes require basic event-condition-action rules to regulate the environment, for example, turning on and off lights, air conditioning, and so on. The purpose of this paper is to compare a purpose-built application called ImAtHome with the Apple HomeKit application.

The two applications were tested by 30 participants during two separate sessions that examined user experience while performing a series of predetermined tasks. The five tasks increased in complexity, but involved controlling various home appliances and fixtures. For example, the participant was required to create a rule that “turns off all lights” when the user moves into a different room.

In the discussion, the authors report that research participants perceived the ImAtHome applications as easier to learn than the Apple application. This was attributed to the very low learning curve of the ImAtHome application. There was also a difference in learning tolerance between age groups, which was explained as a difference in expectation: younger participants viewed the tasks as a game while older participants sought an increase in quality of life.

The conclusions are reflective of the discussion; however, the direction of future research provides useful insight into the problems associated with the semi-automation of a home environment. The authors are proposing a multi-user approach that allows for collaboration of views and requirements. This could lead to many unforeseen issues within a family unit. This is an excellent paper and a great discussion topic for software developers working within the smart home environment.