Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple Smart Home Display: Everything We Know

With all of the spying using in home apps these days, we are actually removing home automation. We've had home automation for 20+ years. But not any more.

Our rules are; "if a device phones home for any reason that we cannot disable, then we remove it."
 
Palliser said:
I'd move to Apple HomeKit as a longtime Samsung SmartThings user here but the problem is backwards compatibility with older devices and no z-wave support. Been a year since the Samsung service has really started to go downhill with tons of errors and issues with the app. Recently they shutoff or "stopped supporting" access to Life 360 which I used as a presence sensor since the SmartThings app did such a bad job with location.

So... curious to see where this ends up as I'd rather use the Apple ecosystem but not spend another $500 re-tooling my smart devices around the house.
Click to expand...
Just imagine having to change all of your in home sensors every 2 to 3 years because Apple drops support. That is what Apple does.

Next when a new version releases and you find out it only supports Apple sensors and switches. Yep, that's right Apple is the new Microsoft from the 90's. Everything has to be Apple or hit the road, Jack.

Not for me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Palliser and Artemis70
nt5672 said:
Just imagine having to change all of your in home sensors every 2 to 3 years because Apple drops support. That is what Apple does.

Next when a new version releases and you find out it only supports Apple sensors and switches. Yep, that's right Apple is the new Microsoft from the 90's. Everything has to be Apple or hit the road, Jack.

Not for me.
Click to expand...
Isn’t this precisely what Matter is meant to fix?
 
PauloSera said:
Right and it would be flatly insane to pay $199 for a single purpose product when the software could simply run on an iPad which can be had for a couple dollars more.
Click to expand...
If someone wants to use an iPad as a Home controller (not a Home Hub) nothing is stopping them. They work fine for that.

But software won't give iPads Thread. And regular iPads have no use for Thread, so it would add hardware complexity and cost for nothing. Also iPads aren't good Home Hubs, which would be one of this thing's main roles. They're fine Home controllers, but not Home Hubs.

But I would love to have one of these. Even at $199 it would be an instant buy for me, if:

- It has Thread (this would be a very safe bet)
- It is AC powered (not like an iPad, but always-on like the HomePod or Apple TV)
- It has elegant wall mountability or at least comes with a NICE bracket or wall frame of its own

It might have the same shape and look of an iPad, but it would have a lot of stuff making it its own separate thing.

As you said, it should be less than the cheapest iPad, since it doesn't need the latest hardware. But for me in my opinion, especially if there were any other cool features, I would be happy with $199. I can't buy a used iPad that is modern enough to keep up to date for less/much less than that... And even if I could, or I had one lying around, an iPad still wouldn't do or have any of the special Home-oriented hardware features of this rumored device.
 
nt5672 said:
Just imagine having to change all of your in home sensors every 2 to 3 years because Apple drops support. That is what Apple does.

Next when a new version releases and you find out it only supports Apple sensors and switches. Yep, that's right Apple is the new Microsoft from the 90's. Everything has to be Apple or hit the road, Jack.

Not for me.
Click to expand...
Matter.
 
Keness said:
If someone wants to use an iPad as a Home controller (not a Home Hub) nothing is stopping them. They work fine for that.

But software won't give iPads Thread. And regular iPads have no use for Thread, so it would add hardware complexity and cost for nothing. Also iPads aren't good Home Hubs, which would be one of this thing's main roles. They're fine Home controllers, but not Home Hubs.

But I would love to have one of these. Even at $199 it would be an instant buy for me, if:

- It has Thread (this would be a very safe bet)
- It is AC powered (not like an iPad, but always-on like the HomePod or Apple TV)
- It has elegant wall mountability or at least comes with a NICE bracket or wall frame of its own

It might have the same shape and look of an iPad, but it would have a lot of stuff making it its own separate thing.

As you said, it should be less than the cheapest iPad, since it doesn't need the latest hardware. But for me in my opinion, especially if there were any other cool features, I would be happy with $199. I can't buy a used iPad that is modern enough to keep up to date for less/much less than that... And even if I could, or I had one lying around, an iPad still wouldn't do or have any of the special Home-oriented hardware features of this rumored device.
Click to expand...
There are already 3 Apple TVs and 6 HomePod minis in my house. We're good on Thread. And so is anyone who has at least 1 of those. No need for a dedicated device to get a Thread router into people's houses. If they don't already have an Apple TV or a single Home Pod mini, they aren't getting this dedicated Home product, I can promise you that.

AC powered? So is the iPad when you plug it in. But more versatile since you have options on the cable, length, and charger, which is important for wall mounting.

Wall mounting is achieved easily with any thing made for iPad.

What Apple needs to provide is the software. That's it. The hardware already exists, and makes more sense.
 
This will likely be akin to the Meta Portal I would think.

If it has tracking technology similar to the Portal while in FaceTime calls, and nice screens like showing calendars, Home status, etc. I would consider one.

I do like the Portal (one of our kids has one), but want to stays in the Apple ecosystem.
 
zorinlynx said:
A lot of us have older iPads sitting around that would be perfect for this if Apple would release an app that autolaunches on one and runs full time.
Click to expand...

This would be great... I currently use an iPad Mini as my television/home theater remote... so having this extra functionality would be freaking great!!!!!! Especially if it is an app versus a hardware platform and an app. Give us the ability to use either or, or both!

I mean I can launch apps from within the remote, and you can make some calls from within the app... but it does require some programming. If this could be done with a minimal configurate versus writing code. I am all there.
 
How many different ways can Apple sell you an iPhone?
iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, iPad Air, iPad Mini, iPad Pro, HomeKit Screen
 
PauloSera said:
There are already 3 Apple TVs and 6 HomePod minis in my house. We're good on Thread. And so is anyone who has at least 1 of those. No need for a dedicated device to get a Thread router into people's houses. If they don't already have an Apple TV or a single Home Pod mini, they aren't getting this dedicated Home product, I can promise you that.

AC powered? So is the iPad when you plug it in. But more versatile since you have options on the cable, length, and charger, which is important for wall mounting.

Wall mounting is achieved easily with any thing made for iPad.

What Apple needs to provide is the software. That's it. The hardware already exists, and makes more sense.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you're well covered with nine Thread router devices, unless your home is gargantuan, or you have really well insulated/solid/metal-stud walls. But just like Zigbee, you DO benefit from having more routers sprinkled around the house. (One is always the Border Router, which controls the network, the rest, though, strengthen the network and help prevent weak spots where sensors drop off the mesh.)

I have 3 wall mounted iPads, so I've spent quite a bit of time with this issue, which is why I was and am quite excited by this rumor.

I didn't have 3 iPads laying around at the time, so I had to buy them. I got used to save some money, but they couldn't be TOO old because I wanted to be able to keep iOS up to date for at least a few more years.

I would have happily paid up to $199-ish for this device, since I paid almost that for used iPads ANYway.

My AC comment wasn't that you can't plug an iPad in, obviously, but that it goes into a deeper sleep than the straight AC-powered Apple TV or HomePod. Because of that deeper sleep, which it does even when it is plugged in, it made an unreliable Home hub. Still works fine as a Home controller, but not a hub. But that is just one more thing that this device could possible do that an iPad can't.

In any event, I wasn't arguing against an iPad being a good wall mount option. (I've got 3! haha) Just that this potential device could be even more "fine tuned" to this purpose, and if I could get one for around the same as a used iPad, it would be an instant buy for me.

This thing doesn't need to be any more powerful than, say, an AppleTV HD. And the screen doesn't need to be the fanciest either. Their WORST current iPad display would still be great for this kind of device. So they could do it for a good price. Doesn't mean they will, but if they did, I'm in.

In any event, this type of device clearly doesn't sound like something you'd want to buy. And that's totally fine. But I would in a heartbeat, for the right price. This device could make so much more sense if it was designed just right for the purpose.
 
Keness said:
Sounds like you're well covered with nine Thread router devices, unless your home is gargantuan, or you have really well insulated/solid/metal-stud walls. But just like Zigbee, you DO benefit from having more routers sprinkled around the house. (One is always the Border Router, which controls the network, the rest, though, strengthen the network and help prevent weak spots where sensors drop off the mesh.)

I have 3 wall mounted iPads, so I've spent quite a bit of time with this issue, which is why I was and am quite excited by this rumor.

I didn't have 3 iPads laying around at the time, so I had to buy them. I got used to save some money, but they couldn't be TOO old because I wanted to be able to keep iOS up to date for at least a few more years.

I would have happily paid up to $199-ish for this device, since I paid almost that for used iPads ANYway.

My AC comment wasn't that you can't plug an iPad in, obviously, but that it goes into a deeper sleep than the straight AC-powered Apple TV or HomePod. Because of that deeper sleep, which it does even when it is plugged in, it made an unreliable Home hub. Still works fine as a Home controller, but not a hub. But that is just one more thing that this device could possible do that an iPad can't.

In any event, I wasn't arguing against an iPad being a good wall mount option. (I've got 3! haha) Just that this potential device could be even more "fine tuned" to this purpose, and if I could get one for around the same as a used iPad, it would be an instant buy for me.

This thing doesn't need to be any more powerful than, say, an AppleTV HD. And the screen doesn't need to be the fanciest either. Their WORST current iPad display would still be great for this kind of device. So they could do it for a good price. Doesn't mean they will, but if they did, I'm in.

In any event, this type of device clearly doesn't sound like something you'd want to buy. And that's totally fine. But I would in a heartbeat, for the right price. This device could make so much more sense if it was designed just right for the purpose.
Click to expand...
I understand what you're saying. My mind simply goes to the place of whether or not its a viable product. Not whether or not there is some person out there somewhere who would buy it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KENESS
They really need to work on HomeKit if they want this thing to do well. Ever since ios16 it’s been horrible. Barely understands anything nothing ever works that used to.
 
PauloSera said:
I understand what you're saying. My mind simply goes to the place of whether or not its a viable product. Not whether or not there is some person out there somewhere who would buy it.
Click to expand...
I hope it is... Because at the very least, I am that some person! haha
 
nt5672 said:
With all of the spying using in home apps these days, we are actually removing home automation. We've had home automation for 20+ years. But not any more.

Our rules are; "if a device phones home for any reason that we cannot disable, then we remove it."
Click to expand...
If you stick with Zigbee and Thread devices, there is no way for them to "phone home". (You need to make sure that your Zigbee bridge doesn't, but as long as it doesn't, the devices running on it can't.)

Thread is safe, because it is just New Zigbee(tm) and since Apple is most likely your "bridge" (Border Router) you're safe from phone home.

ANY WiFi/Ethernet-based device could potentially. So you can either stick with name brands that are trusted, or on the more technical side, you can isolate the devices and prevent them from talking to the outside world, or even isolate your smart home network so that you don't have to worry about any device on that isolated network talking to the outside world. Those options are a little bit more geeky, so might be more complex to implement.

One last thing, HomeKit-compatible WiFi routers are a thing. And I believe their main purpose is to keep your smart home devices from talking to the outside internet unless you expressly "green-light" it to do so. So that might be worth looking into.
 
nt5672 said:
And Apple's Matter solution will just barely work. Just enough to be able to include it in the Keynote.
Click to expand...
It'll be fine. There will be plenty to complain about for people who like to complain, certainly during this transition time, but less negative people will get on with it, use it, and it will get better and the sun may even rise again the next day.
 
Keness said:
If you stick with Zigbee and Thread devices, there is no way for them to "phone home". (You need to make sure that your Zigbee bridge doesn't, but as long as it doesn't, the devices running on it can't.)

Thread is safe, because it is just New Zigbee(tm) and since Apple is most likely your "bridge" (Border Router) you're safe from phone home.

ANY WiFi/Ethernet-based device could potentially. So you can either stick with name brands that are trusted, or on the more technical side, you can isolate the devices and prevent them from talking to the outside world, or even isolate your smart home network so that you don't have to worry about any device on that isolated network talking to the outside world. Those options are a little bit more geeky, so might be more complex to implement.

One last thing, HomeKit-compatible WiFi routers are a thing. And I believe their main purpose is to keep your smart home devices from talking to the outside internet unless you expressly "green-light" it to do so. So that might be worth looking into.
Click to expand...
Excellent advice.

All of which I do now. Neither Apple, nor ZigBee are my "bridge"s. Don't have Wi-Fi routers. Have WiFi endpoints with a hardware firewall and very specific rules about what can go out.
 
nt5672 said:
Excellent advice.

All of which I do now. Neither Apple, nor ZigBee are my "bridge"s. Don't have Wi-Fi routers. Have WiFi endpoints with a hardware firewall and very specific rules about what can go out.
Click to expand...
I'm fine with Apple (my HomePod minis) for Thread, but I decided I didn't want to use Aqara for my Zigbee. Even in "Local HomeKit Mode" since they may get rid of that at any time and still have to use their app.

I'm just geeky enough to go the Homebridge/Zigbee2MQTT route, and I'm very happy with it. Plus I can use nearly ANY Zigbee device.

Not sure if it is the perfect solution when it comes to privacy of course. But it is good enough for my purposes, and I am happier with it than Aqara.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nt5672
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗 said:
That’s what I was thinking.. Why not release an App or an Operating System that controls everything? Why do we need new hardware for this? When we already have iPads.
Click to expand...
Optimally we would have both for people who don't have iPads sitting around, considering this will surely be cheaper?
 
  • Like
Reactions: KENESS
cal1 said:
Optimally we would have both for people who don't have iPads sitting around, considering this will surely be cheaper?
Click to expand...
ExACTly... iPads, even a basic one, need to be pretty decent performance-wise or they would be a laughing stock. This device can be MUCH "weaker" and still 100% up to its task.

For example, HomePods, AirPods and the Apple TV... Their performance doesn't really matter, as long as they can fully do what they are tasked to do. (Although with apps on the AppleTV, it's not as perfect of an example... Some apps could be power hungry.)

In any event, whether Apple decides to make this device or not, who knows. And whether they go the Apple TV/HomePod mini route of being pretty reasonably priced or not, also who knows. But it COULD be pretty reasonably priced if they decide they want to do that, because it doesn't need to be a general purpose device like the iPad.

If anyone can convince people to put a Home controller in every bedroom as well as the kitchen and the living room, Apple can... haha
 
I have a couple of DAKboards in my house – they work on old displays that I've mounted to the walls, with $25 Raspberry Pi computers. Super affordable and they work great. Or you can buy them pre-built.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back