TP-Link's Kasa Smart Plug Mini Won't Support HomeKit After All

[MacRumors]

TP-Link today announced that it has abandoned its plans to add HomeKit support to its Kasa Smart Plug Mini.

From a new support document on TP-Link's website via Reddit:

Due to changes in our roadmap, the Kasa Smart Plug Mini (HS105) smart plug will not offer support for Apple HomeKit. Despite the change in direction for this specific SKU, our team is committed to the development of innovative smart home solutions that will continue to delight our customers around the globe.

TP-Link originally planned to add HomeKit support to the smart plug in early 2019, a promise that it has now broken.

Fortunately, HomeKit-enabled smart plugs are quite common, with a wide variety of options available from brands such as Eve, iDevices, iHome, and Wemo. They can be used to conveniently turn on and off TVs, lamps, coffee machines, and other household objects with an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch.

Article Link: TP-Link's Kasa Smart Plug Mini Won't Support HomeKit After All

 

[xpxp2002]

Typical.

Same rules as always apply: don’t buy anything that promises future HomeKit support. Wait until it’s released.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

It’s childish, but I laughed out loud when I read the article title and then saw the plug’s ‘shocked’ expression!

 

[xpxp2002]

It’s childish, but I laughed out loud when I read the article title and then saw the plug’s ‘shocked’ expression!

They should’ve just made the article image shocked pikachu face.

 

[walnuts]

I love decoding corporate speak. “Due to changes in our roadmap” makes it sound like something happened to them, but that really it means nothing other than “we decided not to do it”.

 

[richie510]

Is HomeKit somehow harder to implement, or more expensive to license? Why do so many devices automatically support Alexa and Google, but HomeKit is a side project? After Apple removed the hardware restriction, it just baffles me that every product supporting Google and Alexa do not support HomeKit as well.

 

[grobik]

Is HomeKit somehow harder to implement, or more expensive to license? Why do so many devices automatically support Alexa and Google, but HomeKit is a side project? After Apple removed the hardware restriction, it just baffles me that every product supporting Google and Alexa do not support HomeKit as well.

when the decision makers look at these devices they look at smart speakers as being the controller. In this market Apple is still way behind on market share. In sure Apple also charges a premium to license as well as most likely being more involved coding wise to implement due to the higher security standards. You also have to look at the global market. The US is the main country using newer iOS devices. I was always struck when I’d go to Europe to see the majority of iPhones you see on the street are 3-4 year old models.

 

[sinsin07]

Is HomeKit somehow harder to implement, or more expensive to license? Why do so many devices automatically support Alexa and Google, but HomeKit is a side project? After Apple removed the hardware restriction, it just baffles me that every product supporting Google and Alexa do not support HomeKit as well.

Like Apple TV, Apple lead charge with hardware restrictions.
Could be do to that now no one cares that the restrictions have been lifted.

 

[now i see it]

So sorry

 

[justperry]

Question, could you get your money back if you bought this plug after they promised Homekit support, they lied to you so I guess it should, but then again, this is the US, unlike in Europe customers have a lot more protection.

 

[bchery21]

Man I’m looking for a HomeKit smart plug. Are there any good ones out there? I want to start “smartifying” my home before taking a deep dive on the more expensive products.

 

[justperry]

Man I’m looking for a HomeKit smart plug. Are there any good ones out there? I want to start “smartifying” my home before taking a deep dive on the more expensive products.

Eve maybe, does it's job.

 

[whoknows2597]

Man I’m looking for a HomeKit smart plug. Are there any good ones out there? I want to start “smartifying” my home before taking a deep dive on the more expensive products.

I’m not sure how you feel about this company, but I purchased a Wemo Mini that is compatible with HomeKit. I set it up to turn my fan on and off through Automations and it works perfectly aside from a few hiccups. I may purchase a few more if Belkin makes some that are even more compact.

 

[MadDog31]

Man I’m looking for a HomeKit smart plug. Are there any good ones out there? I want to start “smartifying” my home before taking a deep dive on the more expensive products.

Looking for the same -- preferably a three-plug outlet. I have a photography studio and I would love to control my continuous lights via HomeKit.

 

[xpxp2002]

Man I’m looking for a HomeKit smart plug. Are there any good ones out there? I want to start “smartifying” my home before taking a deep dive on the more expensive products.

I really like Eve for indoor. I also have the iDevices Outdoor plug, it’s alright but seems slightly less reliable on Wi-Fi than Eve’s Bluetooth plug.

 

[brownpaw]

I have several of these TP-Link devices and I really like them. I can’t say dropping HomeKit plans kills them for me (or promised HomeKit support was a buying factor) but it’s certainly disappointing.

 

[whoknows2597]

Looking for the same -- preferably a three-plug outlet. I have a photography studio and I would love to control my continuous lights via HomeKit.

Hmm. In your case, a power strip may be best if you have separate plugs. Although I’m not sure how they work, ie. if each plug is independently operated, but if you want to turn all the lights on or off simultaneously, then the strip will work for you.

They are priced a bit higher than standard power strips, but naming a few, Eve or VOCOlinc may work for you. They do not require any hubs or bridges, however if you have a HomePod, it acts like one to connect all your smart accessories.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

This really sucks. My smart home is a mixture of Homepods and Alexa and in the UK and I suspect Europe, there are no smart plugs available that support Homekit, Alexa and Google.
HomeKit support in Europe is pretty dire.
I guess I will have to wait for Phillips to deliver on its promises for a smart plug.

 

[grobik]

Looking for the same -- preferably a three-plug outlet. I have a photography studio and I would love to control my continuous lights via HomeKit.

I’ve been using an idevices three prong plug for years without a problem. Has a nice color changing night light on it too with a manual switch on the side. It’s actually the most reliable HomeKit device I’ve ever used. My dad even uses one on his electric car charger. Holds up.

 

[geekonthepc]

Grab yourself a Raspberry Pi and set it up with Homebridge. Took me less than an hour, and it works perfectly with my HS100s with the right plugin.

 

[T5BRICK]

Question, could you get your money back if you bought this plug after they promised Homekit support, they lied to you so I guess it should, but then again, this is the US, unlike in Europe customers have a lot more protection.

I had an email exchange with their support a few weeks ago and they had a path for refunds. Unfortunately, I paid cash for mine at Target and didn’t keep the receipts so I’m SOL. I was able to sell them locally for a little less than I paid so it worked out.

Man I’m looking for a HomeKit smart plug. Are there any good ones out there? I want to start “smartifying” my home before taking a deep dive on the more expensive products.

I’ve gone with Lutron products. The plug itself is about 2x the cost of this TP-Link option and it requires a hub(which is an additional cost as well). However, it offers dimming and the hub allows the smart devices to operate on their own dedicated wireless network instead of on the crowded 2.4GHz band.

 

[Anarchy99]

this is why people who want HA shouldn't half@$$ it. learn that there are things like Zigbee and z wave, and if nothing else use a raspberry pi and either HomeAssistant or OpenHAB.

my TP-Link Kasa's have been homekit devices for years now
as has everything else that has smart functionality despite what the manufacturers do.
why rely on these lying companies with their empty promises with delayed or unreleased implementations that don't work as well.

 

[Kaibelf]

Is HomeKit somehow harder to implement, or more expensive to license? Why do so many devices automatically support Alexa and Google, but HomeKit is a side project? After Apple removed the hardware restriction, it just baffles me that every product supporting Google and Alexa do not support HomeKit as well.

Honestly, I'd be surprised if it wasn't down to two things: Apple doesn't hand them everything to implement it, and Apple will never EVER give them any metrics regarding usage. I am dead convinced that user metrics are available to OEMs who use Alexa and Google, and they get some kind of incentive for sales driven by those products and the ads that come from that data.
[doublepost=1565627564][/doublepost]

this is why people who want HA shouldn't half@$$ it. learn that there are things like Zigbee and z wave, and if nothing else use a raspberry pi and either HomeAssistant or OpenHAB.

my TP-Link Kasa's have been homekit devices for years now
as has everything else that has smart functionality despite what the manufacturers do.
why rely on these lying companies with their empty promises with delayed or unreleased implementations that don't work as well.

Exhibit A: The RING DOORBELL.

 

[macfacts]

Is HomeKit somehow harder to implement, or more expensive to license? Why do so many devices automatically support Alexa and Google, but HomeKit is a side project? After Apple removed the hardware restriction, it just baffles me that every product supporting Google and Alexa do not support HomeKit as well.

Not worth the effort. Apple smart speaker share is tiny.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

The 47 people who use home kit are infuriated I’m sure!