https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-homekit-software-authentication-explained/

That's a compelling pitch given Apple's ability to move markets, but the platform hasn't caught on as quickly as we've seen with Alexa and Google Assistant. Part of the problem: Apple's requirement that every HomeKit-compatible smart home device include an MFi chipset in order to keep things standardized. That hardware requirement left popular legacy gadgets without the MFi chip locked out of the HomeKit ecosystem altogether, and might have discouraged smaller manufacturers from jumping in as well. After all, you don't need a special chip to work with Alexa or Google.

That's why Apple mapped out a second route to HomeKit compatibility, one that doesn't require any extra hardware at all and instead lets devices jump on board via firmware update. After a long wait (remember, HomeKit's been a thing for four years now), that software-based approach is finally live, with one device, the WeMo Mini smart switch from Belkin, already taking advantage. More devices will undoubtedly follow suit, which could spell growth for Apple's smart home ecosystem -- for now, here's everything you need to know.