At Apple’s recent Worldwide Developers Conference HomeKit, a suite of tools for controlling devices such as lights, locks, garage doors, alarms, thermostats and more using iOS device was announced.
In my opinion, current iOS devices (iPhone & iPad), are not well suited for Apples HomeKit & Home Automation for a number of key reasons:
• The lack of ZigBee, Z-Wave, IR prevents compatibility with hundreds of existing Home Automation devices.
• Many members of a household still do not own their iOS device (small children, grandparents, ……).
• Limited battery life for Home Automation.

A crucial hardware piece that is missing in the Apple Home Automation ecosystem, is a device / hub that would be in the centre of the living room,  to control “Smart Home".
The simplest way to describe this gizmo is that it is a cross between a universal remote control and an iPod Touch with lots of connectivity options and sensors built into it.
And for the lack of the better name, I'm calling it iControl.

Features:
• metal body
• 4” touch screen
• Touch ID
• connectivity - Bluetooth BLE, WiFi, ZigBee, Z-Wave, IR infrared
• front & back camera
• Siri, AirPlay,  AirPlay Mirroring. Facetime, Family sharing, Handoff, VoIP phone….
• significantly larger battery (possible solar or wireless charging)
•Built in sensors to assist Smart devices (motion, temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, light etc).
I wouldn’t be too surprised to see Apple's own low-power and low-latency wireless protocol for Home Automation.

What does it do:
• connects & controls Smart devices such as lights, locks, garage doors, alarms, thermostats and more
• connects & controls other Apple products & services -  iTunes, iCloud, Mac, iPhone, AppleTV,
• controls Home theatre, TV, receivers, stereos…
• communication - email, SMS, iMassage, Facetime, audio Facetime, VoIP phone.
• built in different sensors assist “Smart Home" devices, also devices less expensive to make
(if iControl has motion, temperature, humidity sensor …. thermostat doesn't need them - less expensive to make).

Dimensions:
iControl
W 58.6 mm x H 153mm x D 12.6mm
iPhone5 / 5S
W 58.6mm x H 123.8mm x D 7.6mm

For years I have been hoping Apple would enter in to Home Automation, and create their own device.
Here is the concept of Apple iControl remote, from few years ago, I have made but never completed.
Notice iPad style scroll wheel in my old 3d concept

Very soon, new blog post:
The Missing piece in Apple’s HomeKIt - iControl, part II