HomeKit Can HomeKit do home security + automation better than Alexa?

[bp1000]

Today I received an Alexa Echo and a bunch of Philips Hue bulbs (no bridge, as I understand it Alex can create the Zigabee network), I also received some Blink XT2 cameras.

The plan, once the cameras are installed I want them to detect and record motion, upon detecting motion, I'd like them to turn on a couple of lights, ideally after 5 seconds, and then turn these lights off after say, 5 minutes. As an added bonus, play some music. Doing all of this after say 8pm.

Now this kit has turned up, I've realised that the Alexa app, setup procedure and sound quality is no where near as polished as what you may find with Apple products.

I also found out, after doing some digging, that what I want it to do, is a bit of a half measure and hassle to setup, there doesn't seem to be a coherent and easy way to get the lights to switch off automatically.

Smart homes, to me, should be about ease of management and so far this fumbled together process isn't so straightforward.



So, HomeKit wise, as I have 2 Apple TV 4K's, a few iPhones, iPads, mac's and MacBooks, maybe it would be a better fit. Can you do as explained above, easily and simply with Homekit.

To make this happen I would likely buy a HomePod anyway, as well as compatible HomeKit security cameras. I have the Philips Hue bulbs, but no bridge. Ideally a cam system that can operate on motion and battery only would be ideal for placement in the garden and outside the house etc.

Thanks

 

[malcky77]

I was under the impression that Hue bulbs always needed the the Philips Hue Bridge for it to work correctly.....unless you were to rely on the bluetooth element of the newer Hue bulbs? And if so, then I think you would be limited to about 10 bulbs at most (not too sure on that?).

I dont have any cameras in my home set up, as I use the philips motion sensors to trigger lights around the house....I am sure that your cameras could be set up in a similar way to what you want, but it does take a bit of trial and error to tweek all the timings and settings to suit the entire household, but once that is done, it is almost never looked at again and just works as expected.

 

[Itinj24]

You absolutely can do what you want using HomeKit. If you have a HomePod, (or any Airplay 2 device that’s shows up in HomeKit like Sonos, I believe) , you can also have it play music if you set the automation up that way. Matter of fact, instead of playing music, I downloaded alarm sounds from Apple Music and have it play that instead. If you want a DIY alarm type system for HomeKit, I highly recommend the Aqara Hub. Very inexpensive as well as the child devices for it (motion sensors, contact sensors, vibration sensors, amongst others), it’s lighting fast as it works on Zigbee and stays glued to the network. For the cameras, the Blink are not HomeKit compatible so if you want to go the HomeKit route, Eufy just released some inexpensive HomeKit cameras. They had a preorder sale about a month ago, $25 for the regular indoor and I think $40 for a pan and tilt version. That sale is done but they’re still relatively inexpensive for HomeKit cameras. For wireless outdoor, either Eufy or Arlo. This stuff can get addicting 😁