While Apple’s HomeKit was one of the key parts of its new iOS 8 release, there have been no HomeKit hardware devices to go along with it as yet. HomeKit is Apple’s central hub for controlling the connected home, a common network protocol that would allow for devices like smart lightbulbs, door locks, or thermostats to be controlled through an iOS- or OS X-based device. Part of the reason Apple made such a push for the protocol as part of the OS update is to help unify the fragmented IoT market, where every company seems to use its own, proprietary network protocols.

Unfortunately, according to Re/code, it appears as though new hardware based on Apple’s standard (MFI) will not be arriving until Spring at the earliest. This is in part due to delays from Apple in publishing its strict hardware requirements until October 2014. While Apple’s delay was probably the result of trying to get the standards just right in order to maximize the user experience, it also means that hardware manufacturers were unable to develop their devices until recently.

There is some good news for hardware manufacturers, though. Apparently, while Apple has long taken a revenue cut from manufacturers who make Apple-compatible products, it appears as though the company is mainly taking it in the form of the requirement of an authentication chip. This, according to re/code, is likely to be a lower “Apple Tax” than previous accessories demanded.

While HomeKit is Apple’s move into the IoT or connected home, there are other alternatives that are already on the market. Qualcomm and Microsoft have put their weight behind the AllJoyn initiative, with manufacturers Haier, LG, and Panasonic signed on as well. Google, on the other hand, is using recently-acquired Nest’s open platform for home automation. Whatever standard or blend of standards emerge as a market winner, there is enormous opportunity for manufacturers building smart home products in the near future; according to Juniper Research, the market for home automation is expected to be US$16 billion by 2019.