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Apple Finalizes HomeKit Hardware Specifications, Adds HomeKit Support to Apple TV
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Umm Alarm.com has been providing this technology for years now
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Yes my alarm system is powered by alarm.com so I can do schedules such as turn lights at home as soon arrive home using geo-fencing. Also dis arms my system. The best thing is thermostat adjusts as soon as I leave the house
a few people here claimed that apple TV does not bring anything new to home automation since this tech already exists.
well, smart phone already existed long before Apple released original iphone. Same as music player, tablet, etc.
I owned Nest, Chamberlain Smart garage door opener, and Rachio irrigation Controller. I loved these smarthome products but one thing I am worried is the cloud that hosts data and communication between iphone and these devices. Each product has their own cloud server. I don't trust these clouds and their longevity (since these are small start-up companies). Moreover, there is no central hub to integrate these devices seamlessly. For example, I open garage door, and Nest turns on automatically.
Each of smarthome products use their own proprietary tech. this creates fragmentation as existing smarthome tech has been for last decade. This requires geeko setup or professional installation that costs thousands.
I am waiting for Apple TV to be the hub with apple cloud hosting data/communication for these devices. I prefer to have apple maintain my data. Plus I bet that apple cloud would stay in the market longer that those small smarthome start-ups.
well, smart phone already existed long before Apple released original iphone. Same as music player, tablet, etc.
I owned Nest, Chamberlain Smart garage door opener, and Rachio irrigation Controller. I loved these smarthome products but one thing I am worried is the cloud that hosts data and communication between iphone and these devices. Each product has their own cloud server. I don't trust these clouds and their longevity (since these are small start-up companies). Moreover, there is no central hub to integrate these devices seamlessly. For example, I open garage door, and Nest turns on automatically.
Each of smarthome products use their own proprietary tech. this creates fragmentation as existing smarthome tech has been for last decade. This requires geeko setup or professional installation that costs thousands.
I am waiting for Apple TV to be the hub with apple cloud hosting data/communication for these devices. I prefer to have apple maintain my data. Plus I bet that apple cloud would stay in the market longer that those small smarthome start-ups.
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I've been waiting for announcements on HomeKit as much hasn't been released until now.
I thought existing hardware would be able to use HomeKit with app updates. I own a Philips Hue system, Nest Thermostat, Kwikset Kēvo deadbolts (uses Bluetooth LE), and just had a LiftMaster Premium MyQ enabled garage door opener installed that can be controlled via app's and browsers (also has home accessories that can be controlled via the garage door hub such as lights, plugs, automated window coverings, etc). I'm still deciding on whether to use LiftMaster's hub or purchase another remote garage door opener, think I'll hold off until the dust settles.
That stated, if it's WiFi enabled and/or connected to a router, or has Bluetooth LE, it should work with iOS 8, right?
We're in the same situation. Good points on the necessity of a hub to act as the "brains". Assuming an AppleTV (3rd gen) will do this with iOS 8.1, this would be a new market for the AppleTV (appealing to those who viewed it as an entertainment device). Shame, I use a late '12 Mac Mini as my HTPC (AppleTV's can't handle DTS surround sound, AC3, my high end lossless Blu-Ray encodes, etc). Could iOS devices handle the actions and connectivity, acting as a "hub", instead of needing another device?
I thought existing hardware would be able to use HomeKit with app updates. I own a Philips Hue system, Nest Thermostat, Kwikset Kēvo deadbolts (uses Bluetooth LE), and just had a LiftMaster Premium MyQ enabled garage door opener installed that can be controlled via app's and browsers (also has home accessories that can be controlled via the garage door hub such as lights, plugs, automated window coverings, etc). I'm still deciding on whether to use LiftMaster's hub or purchase another remote garage door opener, think I'll hold off until the dust settles.
That stated, if it's WiFi enabled and/or connected to a router, or has Bluetooth LE, it should work with iOS 8, right?
We're in the same situation. Good points on the necessity of a hub to act as the "brains". Assuming an AppleTV (3rd gen) will do this with iOS 8.1, this would be a new market for the AppleTV (appealing to those who viewed it as an entertainment device). Shame, I use a late '12 Mac Mini as my HTPC (AppleTV's can't handle DTS surround sound, AC3, my high end lossless Blu-Ray encodes, etc). Could iOS devices handle the actions and connectivity, acting as a "hub", instead of needing another device?
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Actually, probably yes, to an extent. If you buy a fancy electric tea maker that is MFi and preload it with earl grey leaves, then you can probably setup Siri to turn the tea maker on when you say "Early Grey, Hot."
I can't imagine using anTV to manage homekit or the connected devices, at least in its current iteration.
I remember my brother had on-screen notifications through his cable provider of some home automation stuff, it was odd and annoying.
I really really hope apple doesn't ever have iMessages showing up on apple tv as the default setting. The last thing I want are the messages that appear on my phone, iPad, and Mac to also come up on my tv. The other screens are all useful, the tv would be frustrating. Having said that, there are a lot of notifications that can be done well. I think the Xbox 360 notifications are pretty decently done and Apple could improve on that. There has to be some sort of notifications that appear when friends want to invite you to a game or when a download is ready.
I actually do think Steve Jobs envisioned the TV to be both an entertainment box that would heavily feature iTunes content as well as a hub for our entire house of connected things. This seems very likely to me and Apple likely took their time on this "hobby" not for the content deals with networks but also to finish developing an entirely new system that will change the way interact with and use our televisions. They will no longer be dumb boxes that videos play through. They will become an integral part of the Apple ecosystem of connected things that work together.
So can existing devices like Nest get certified after the fact? I don't want to drop another $250 like I did summer last year when I bought my first house. Also, in addition to setting a temperature, can we ask Siri questions like "What is the indoor temperature?" Or can I say things like "Lower the thermostat two degrees" and it will know what to do?
Has anyone heard of any full-fledged weather stations will be supporting this? That Neatmo thing doesn't seem like it can do very much. I want wind speed, direction, gusts, dew point, RH, barometer, trends, rainfall (self emptying), temperature, heat index, wind chillthe works. I have something right now that does this with a wall panel, but it's pretty glitchy, not very accurate at times, and doesn't provide heat index or accurate rainfall for specific periods of time. I'm a weather geek and want instant access to the info!
Has anyone heard of any full-fledged weather stations will be supporting this? That Neatmo thing doesn't seem like it can do very much. I want wind speed, direction, gusts, dew point, RH, barometer, trends, rainfall (self emptying), temperature, heat index, wind chillthe works. I have something right now that does this with a wall panel, but it's pretty glitchy, not very accurate at times, and doesn't provide heat index or accurate rainfall for specific periods of time. I'm a weather geek and want instant access to the info!
Frankly, sir, I don't give a damn ..... i just want my Apple TV to get AppStore, and to connect gamepad , and play some awesome iOS games on my TV (but not with a mirroring) ...
As for the Lightbulb stuff, well ...
There's Homekit to keep me seated all the time,
and than there's Healthkit to tell me to move my lazy ass ...
Apple, make up Your mind !! Do you want me to be lazy or active ??
As for the Lightbulb stuff, well ...
There's Homekit to keep me seated all the time,
and than there's Healthkit to tell me to move my lazy ass ...
Apple, make up Your mind !! Do you want me to be lazy or active ??
Smart cookie...
Use existing tech as a hub
I like this. Although I won't be using it....
I can't help but get the feeling (1 ATV is not 'just a hobby' anymore, and (2. Apple is trying to put all its eggs in one basket...
Making it easier for the customer by one thing connecting to many things, but also overwhelming the user because they now are like Android, where u have a bunch of stuff a single device can do, and u must sift though and see what exactly u want under this pile of paper.
Not just ATV, but phones and tablets too. Although ATV is a start.
Its probably a trade off, where most stuff you may not even wanna use, compared to a separate device u need to connect..
I would have though having a separate device would be better... but this is is Apple.
Use existing tech as a hub
I like this. Although I won't be using it....
I can't help but get the feeling (1 ATV is not 'just a hobby' anymore, and (2. Apple is trying to put all its eggs in one basket...
Making it easier for the customer by one thing connecting to many things, but also overwhelming the user because they now are like Android, where u have a bunch of stuff a single device can do, and u must sift though and see what exactly u want under this pile of paper.
Not just ATV, but phones and tablets too. Although ATV is a start.
Its probably a trade off, where most stuff you may not even wanna use, compared to a separate device u need to connect..
I would have though having a separate device would be better... but this is is Apple.
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Not sure how this is different to Nest, Philips Hue etc. We already have remote monitoring and control for light bulbs, smoke alarms, cctv. Yes this brings control under one place but that also adds a single point of failure - what if Apple release an 8.0.1 type update that borks your whole house up.
Plus it will be more expensive than competing options - Apple sell a starter pack of 3 Philips Hue lightbulbs for £179 ($290) when you can buy the same product from competitors much cheaper.
Plus it will be more expensive than competing options - Apple sell a starter pack of 3 Philips Hue lightbulbs for £179 ($290) when you can buy the same product from competitors much cheaper.
I understand the thought, but here's another perspective:
How would you like to go out to the wood pile, chop some wood, bring it in, start a fire, then wait until the house heats up. While you are doing that, get the kerosene, put it in the lamps, and light it up, then take the wagon to town, and when you get back get out to put the horses in the barn, and then manually close the door?
The point isn't to mock you, but to people back in the early 1900's, we're the lazy ones. We drive to our house, push the button for the garage door, then flip on a light switch, then set the thermostat manually.
All of this saves us about 2-3 hours a day, and makes our lives safer and cleaner.
The home automation is just the next step in this process.
Think of all the places where this can take off... Sprinklers that monitor the weather, then water the lawn appropriately. Thermostats that monitor the outdoor temperature, then open and close windows as needed. Predictive thermostats and ducts that heat/cool the room that you are in, as well as the one that you will be in.
Most people use 4 rooms in their houses: Bedroom, kitchen, living room, and the bathroom. Why do we need to heat/cool the rest of the house if it's not needed?
We are at the dawn of this.
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Yes, because backwards compatibility is where Apple excels, and I want my light bulbs turning on and off when the refrigerator motor kicks in.
Not just the 1900's. How about having to actually get up from the couch to change the channel on the TV? Or having to go all the way down to the library, and have to sort through the card catalog to find a book to read? Or the painful writing of a check, putting a stamp on an envelope and driving out to the post office to pay a bill? Man those were some hard times.
These are great ideas in principle, however they are just far too expensive.
I'd love to have all this stuff to manage it from my phone iPhone so I can have the heating on ready for when I get home, and look at how many energy is used and monitor it, however in the case of monitoring energy use I'm pretty sure it would a few years for the benefit savings to out number the initial cost.
As for this coming to the Apple TV, well if it is and it's so it can be managed through the TV itself and not an iDevice or Mac then surely it indicates that an App store for the Apple TV is coming soon.
I'd love to have all this stuff to manage it from my phone iPhone so I can have the heating on ready for when I get home, and look at how many energy is used and monitor it, however in the case of monitoring energy use I'm pretty sure it would a few years for the benefit savings to out number the initial cost.
As for this coming to the Apple TV, well if it is and it's so it can be managed through the TV itself and not an iDevice or Mac then surely it indicates that an App store for the Apple TV is coming soon.
I used Homeseer and ZWave to automate my house about 10 years ago. I even had a "panic button" to "randomly" turn on/off lights when/if an intruder was in the house (never used it for that purpose, but it did make a cool "haunted house" effect) that would cycle through the house in a "random" fashion, but I knew the cycle, so the intruder was confused, but I could move in the shadows with my trusty equalizer.
I found that it's more confusing to have lights going on/off so the poor person breaking into my house's corneas were constantly opening and closing.
Not sure where you live but here in South Florida, FPL is already doing some energy monitoring for their customers. They've installed smart meters that track usage. We can get a breakdown of usage per day, even down to the hour. Its pretty basic now, but I imagine it shouldn't be too difficult to incorporate individual appliances with specialized outlets or something similar. It's a start.
Here's a quick link if you're interested:
http://www.fpl.com/residential/energy_saving/energy_dashboard.shtml
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I envision it all being connected through a family share account. everyone with an iDevice is connected, so when you approach the house, Front lights automatically come on, Thermostat sets it to a desired temperature, Door unlocks, water heater turns on. As you enter or exit a room (I suppose with a watch) lights go on or off, All automatically. Everyone is connected so I don't have to worry about leaving the house and the AC turning off while my wife is still home. But if there is no one in the vicinity, then everything goes into action.
Kind of like the old Jetsons cartoons.
You can always wait for the Apple preferred solution that actually supports HomeKit, Elgato is going to be one of them, this includes a smoke detector
#ComingSoon
https://www.macrumors.com/2014/09/02/elgato-eve-homekit-sensors-smart-bulb/
https://www.elgato.com/en/eve