Arlo Rolls Out Apple Home Support for 2nd-Gen Essential Camera Lineup

[MacRumors]

Arlo has begun rolling out Apple Home integration for its Essential Second-Generation camera lineup, reports The-Ambient.

The integration allows devices like the Arlo Essential 2K Video Doorbell, 2K Indoor Camera, and 2K Outdoor XL Camera (all second-gen models) to be added to the Apple Home app. That's provided they are connected to a compatible Arlo Base Station or SmartHub.

When properly connected, users will be able to view live feeds and screenshots, receive motion and audio notifications, and use two-way audio directly from the Apple Home app. The update also brings Siri voice control functionality and the ability to view camera feeds on Apple TV, making it convenient to check who's at the door without reaching for your phone.

As noted by The-Ambient, this update should prove a big improvement for Apple Home households, where third-party camera support has traditionally been inconsistent at best. While Arlo still hasn't implemented HomeKit Secure Video support (something many users have been clamoring for), standard HomeKit integration is a meaningful step toward a more unified smart home experience.

The rollout appears to be specifically for second-generation Essential devices, so owners of first-gen or other Arlo camera lines might need to wait a bit longer (or invest in newer hardware) to enjoy the same Apple Home integration.

Article Link: Arlo Rolls Out Apple Home Support for 2nd-Gen Essential Camera Lineup

 

[Rob__Mac]

Eurgh. Smart hubs. Absolute bane of smart home. This is what Matter is designed to get away from - so you don't need half a dozen Apple TV sized boxes sitting in your cupboard just to run a load of proprietary bridges.

 

[tiptopp]

I'm currently looking for a doorbell to integrate into HomeKit but, after all this time, there still seems to be so little choice, and reviews are varied, to say the least...

Does anyone have a recommendation? Currently looking at the Aqara Video Doorbell G4 - but as I say, reviews are mixed...

 

[Lightbox67]

I'm currently looking for a doorbell to integrate into HomeKit but, after all this time, there still seems to be so little choice, and reviews are varied, to say the least...

Does anyone have a recommendation? Currently looking at the Aqara Video Doorbell G4 - but as I say, reviews are mixed...

(In the UK) this is the only one I can see that might feasibly work, and a friend has reported it works fine. But it is a Chinese company, with a Chinese app. I've avoided getting a Ring because I don't fancy Jeff getting to peep on me, so that's a big downside.

But I suppose if you're going to get one anyway, the time to buy is probably now!

 

[SilmarilFinder]

I'm currently looking for a doorbell to integrate into HomeKit but, after all this time, there still seems to be so little choice, and reviews are varied, to say the least...

Does anyone have a recommendation? Currently looking at the Aqara Video Doorbell G4 - but as I say, reviews are mixed...

On paper Aqara seems really nice but (a big but) its a Chinese company and whatever data gets in, there is no way out from China. It could be used for anything from AI training to tea break entertainment.

Yes, I know most budget cameras are made in China, but Aqara is suspiciously cheap and suspiciously good. Their privacy statement is about as convincing as a ‘trust me’ from a Facebook marketplace seller.

 

[raythompsontn]

Arlo charges too much for each camera for local storage. Cameras can only be recharged with the Arlo charger even though it USB. Arlo is greedy. Find something else like Eufy cameras. No monthly charge. I threw away my Arlo cameras.

 

[bchery21]

I'm currently looking for a doorbell to integrate into HomeKit but, after all this time, there still seems to be so little choice, and reviews are varied, to say the least...

Does anyone have a recommendation? Currently looking at the Aqara Video Doorbell G4 - but as I say, reviews are mixed...

Despite the not so favorable reviews I took a chance on the Logitech Circle View doorbell. I’ve had it for 3 years now and it works great. The only downside is that the doorbell will go offline for a few minutes if it’s hot outside and in direct sunlight. If your doorbell isn’t in direct sunlight then you won’t need to worry about that.

 

[DogHouseDub]

Eurgh. Smart hubs. Absolute bane of smart home. This is what Matter is designed to get away from - so you don't need half a dozen Apple TV sized boxes sitting in your cupboard just to run a load of proprietary bridges.

I completely agree...or agreed, until HomeKit lost connection with all of my bulbs and switches, and I had to go about the house accessing and rescanning all those barcodes to get everything active again. Devices that were connected through an intermediary hub only required re-adding the hub, not each individual device. That experience and the improved connection stability via the intermediary hub led me to reevaluate my previously held opinions. However, that is based on the current state of technology and could be resolved by Matter.

 

[tjrchka]

On paper Aqara seems really nice but (a big but) its a Chinese company and whatever data gets in, there is no way out from China. It could be used for anything from AI training to tea break entertainment.

Yes, I know most budget cameras are made in China, but Aqara is suspiciously cheap and suspiciously good. Their privacy statement is about as convincing as a ‘trust me’ from a Facebook marketplace seller.

Thoughts on this:

What could be helpful is Macrumors, other sites or users sharing if they are finding these Chinese made smart home devices actually “reporting back home”. Akin to Little Snitch app on Mac.

I don’t doubt the possibility but where is the evidence or proof?

I personally use the Aqara Doorbell G4. Two reasons: it’s HomeKit compatible (works with HomeKit secure video) and I can use it with AA Batteries 🔋. No other option was available that does both. I’m using rechargeable AA batteries (they are actually 1.5v! And can get a few months of charge). This is in on an apartment door, another reason for the need for batteries.

It works! It’s my first smart doorbell and the quality is decent. I interact with it almost entirely in Home app. There is a Hub that’s also the door chime that has to be plugged in nearby.

One red flag 🚩 was that it required me to change my password for my network. turning off symbols $&@! Etc.

Consideration there is to create a second (guest network) and put all smart devices on that.

Does anyone have experience or knowledge of devices reporting back “home” and what data is being sent back?

 

[That Arab Guy]

I'm currently looking for a doorbell to integrate into HomeKit but, after all this time, there still seems to be so little choice, and reviews are varied, to say the least...

Does anyone have a recommendation? Currently looking at the Aqara Video Doorbell G4 - but as I say, reviews are mixed...

I have a couple of the new Aqara G5 Pro Cameras that they released earlier this year, and they are fantastic compared to the Arlo Cameras. They have fantastic low light performance in color, and I mean fantastic! No regrets switching from Arlo.

Now onto the doorbell, I still have the Arlo doorbell unfortunately, but Aqara is releasing the new G410 doorbell sometime soon (the successor to the G4), I would wait for it.
Cant wait to have a HomeKit secure video doorbell that works properly!

 

[TomaxXamot]

No HomeKit Secure Video support makes it a non-starter for me.

 

[CouldBeWorse]

its a Chinese company and whatever data gets in, there is no way out from China.

That is the beauty of Homekit Secure video. I have two Aqara cameras, both of which are blocked from accessing the internet via my router. Apple takes care of everything via HKSV and I have no need to use Aqara's software or cloud services.

 

[SilmarilFinder]

Thoughts on this:

What could be helpful is Macrumors, other sites or users sharing if they are finding these Chinese made smart home devices actually “reporting back home”. Akin to Little Snitch app on Mac.

I don’t doubt the possibility but where is the evidence or proof?

I personally use the Aqara Doorbell G4. Two reasons: it’s HomeKit compatible (works with HomeKit secure video) and I can use it with AA Batteries 🔋. No other option was available that does both. I’m using rechargeable AA batteries (they are actually 1.5v! And can get a few months of charge). This is in on an apartment door, another reason for the need for batteries.

It works! It’s my first smart doorbell and the quality is decent. I interact with it almost entirely in Home app. There is a Hub that’s also the door chime that has to be plugged in nearby.

One red flag 🚩 was that it required me to change my password for my network. turning off symbols $&@! Etc.

Consideration there is to create a second (guest network) and put all smart devices on that.

Does anyone have experience or knowledge of devices reporting back “home” and what data is being sent back?

They don’t technically need to send data “home” they could route it through another country, say Hong Kong, or use a data centre in a loosely regulated part of Europe, then share the data back to China. How would Little Snitch or similar tools even know?

I understand you invested in a product but that doesn’t remove the suspicion around it.

 

[AppleTO]

I love my Unifi Protect setup, although it has no HomeKit compatibility (as far as I know), but I couldn’t care less.

 

[SilmarilFinder]

That is the beauty of Homekit Secure video. I have two Aqara cameras, both of which are blocked from accessing the internet via my router. Apple takes care of everything via HKSV and I have no need to use Aqara's software or cloud services.

But if its a PTZ camera you have to use their app to control the pan and tilt movement, at least when I tested it.

 

[CouldBeWorse]

But if its a PTZ camera you have to use their app to control the pan and tilt movement, at least when I tested it.

Yeah, if you want any non-Homekit functionality, that's different.

 

[Wobbler18]

I'm currently looking for a doorbell to integrate into HomeKit but, after all this time, there still seems to be so little choice, and reviews are varied, to say the least...

Does anyone have a recommendation? Currently looking at the Aqara Video Doorbell G4 - but as I say, reviews are mixed...

Love my ecobee system. I’m just waiting for them to make outdoor cameras. I actually wish I put a doorbell on my back door just for the video, system, HomeKit,

 

[Paul324]

Despite the not so favorable reviews I took a chance on the Logitech Circle View doorbell. I’ve had it for 3 years now and it works great. The only downside is that the doorbell will go offline for a few minutes if it’s hot outside and in direct sunlight. If your doorbell isn’t in direct sunlight then you won’t need to worry about that.

I will second that recommendation, it’s the best option out there that I could find. In the winter when the sun at a lower arc it will get blasted with sun and occasionally go offline because of heat.

 

[tiptopp]

Despite the not so favorable reviews I took a chance on the Logitech Circle View doorbell. I’ve had it for 3 years now and it works great. The only downside is that the doorbell will go offline for a few minutes if it’s hot outside and in direct sunlight. If your doorbell isn’t in direct sunlight then you won’t need to worry about that.

Unfortunately my door is in bright sunlight for the afternoon, so this doesn't sound like the right one for me!

I also can't find any reference to it on their UK website...

 

[mrios25]

Arlo charges too much for each camera for local storage. Cameras can only be recharged with the Arlo charger even though it USB. Arlo is greedy. Find something else like Eufy cameras. No monthly charge. I threw away my Arlo cameras.

I'm able to charge my arlo cameras with non arlo chargers.

 

[BigJohno]

Arlo charges too much for each camera for local storage. Cameras can only be recharged with the Arlo charger even though it USB. Arlo is greedy. Find something else like Eufy cameras. No monthly charge. I threw away my Arlo cameras.

I have 3 Arlo pro 4 and a doorbell. I saw that they upped my monthly from 9 dollars to 18 dollars. Thinking of getting rid of them and I like your suggestion of Eufy. So no subscription and you have access to recordings anywhere?

 

[nowakj66]

All of this points to the need for a great HomeKit secure video compatible doorbell. Maybe Apple or Beats can make one.

 

[ryanmp]

I have 3 Arlo pro 4 and a doorbell. I saw that they upped my monthly from 9 dollars to 18 dollars. Thinking of getting rid of them and I like your suggestion of Eufy. So no subscription and you have access to recordings anywhere?

You should. I left Arlo a few years ago for Eufy.

Aside from the fact that I find the hardware better, and with a larger range of options, there is no subscription needed. Full access to everything wherever you are.

 

[raythompsontn]

I'm able to charge my arlo cameras with non arlo chargers.

My Arlo 2 cameras refused to charge with any charger other than Arlo. I was using the Arlo cable so it might have been the cable.

 

[raythompsontn]

So no subscription and you have access to recordings anywhere?

Yes. Local storage on a base station or on a memory card in the cameras. Only recordings on the base station can be viewed remotely. It was a little quirky to get a schedule set for arming and disarming the cameras. Solar recharging works well.

The no subscription was the big selling point. There is an optional plan that costs and adds some features.

Arlo can suck the business end of a septic pumper for all I am concerned. Their greed deserves to be recognized, and avoided. Support was an adventure in stupidity, on a par with Comcast.