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CES 2015: iDevices Announces HomeKit-Enabled 'Switch' Smart Plug

Z400Racer37 said:
Can somebody explain the advantages of using HomeKit vs some open standard like SmartThings uses, or WeMo etc? I'm not really up to date on any of those, but it would seem that:

1. No controller is needed for the devices to operate, so setup would be more straightforward.
Click to expand...

SmartThings does seem to require a controller.

WeMo advantage: Open source, initially more options.

HomeKit advantage: Lots of support behind it, eventually will have many devices that integrate with each other.

I believe that in a year or two HomeKit will really shine. The current integration you see with Apple has slowly grown over the years. The way the phone, tablet, TV and computer work together has improved since the first remote app for the iPhone. This will only get better and include HomeKit. There are a lot of companies announcing support for HomeKit.

Yes there are lots of options. For me, I am tired of tinkering with everything and like the direction the Apple ecosystem is gelling. I have other projects I would rather tinker with. ;)
 
That's OK I already have The Clapper and don't even need to find my phone to use it :cool:

<singing> Clap On! Clap Off! The Clapper!
 
I've been looking into this home automation thing, but with HomeKit on the way and all these companies jumping into the foray I may have to wait.
 
Z400Racer37 said:
Can somebody explain the advantages of using HomeKit vs some open standard like SmartThings uses, or WeMo etc? I'm not really up to date on any of those, but it would seem that:

1. No controller is needed for the devices to operate, so setup would be more straightforward.
2. HomeKit is controlled by Apple so I would imagine they made it really secure which:
3. Would allow developers access to a lot of persona information stored on the device (with the user's approval), whereas Apple might not allow them to access that data with an open standard.
4. Access to things like voice control through Siri.
5. You don't have to worry about hardware breaking if you want to update your protocols? I.e. Apple can control HomeKit, and make sure that if they ever update it, previously existing hardware wouldn't break, whereas an open standard might be able to be updates for certain devices, but others would break etc....

Like I said, I'm not terribly familiar with this stuff, but some clarity would be nice. Thanks!
Click to expand...


Agreed. I have Belkin Wemo and it does all this stuff. And it's the same price ($49.95) although you can often find it on sale for $39.95.
So what's the big deal?
 
Z400Racer37 said:
Can somebody explain the advantages of using HomeKit vs some open standard like SmartThings uses, or WeMo etc? I'm not really up to date on any of those, but it would seem that:

1. No controller is needed for the devices to operate, so setup would be more straightforward.
2. HomeKit is controlled by Apple so I would imagine they made it really secure which:
3. Would allow developers access to a lot of persona information stored on the device (with the user's approval), whereas Apple might not allow them to access that data with an open standard.
4. Access to things like voice control through Siri.
5. You don't have to worry about hardware breaking if you want to update your protocols? I.e. Apple can control HomeKit, and make sure that if they ever update it, previously existing hardware wouldn't break, whereas an open standard might be able to be updates for certain devices, but others would break etc....

Like I said, I'm not terribly familiar with this stuff, but some clarity would be nice. Thanks!
Click to expand...

This is what I wanna know too. I could see Siri integration being a big deal but other than that, it seems more of a branding thing. Biggest problem with the home automation market right now is it's fragmented and HomeKit just adds another proprietary connection.

I'm using a SmartThings hub and the best part of it is the support for Z-Wave and cloud devices via SmartThings Labs. Once you pick your hub, it's all about retrofitting your house with sensors, switches, etc. Sensors and switches are all third party equipment that Apple is probably not gonna make. It be nicer to have Z Wave or cloud integration so if you have Hue lights or a Dropcam you can still connect to them.
 
Yep...I knew there'd be a catch to this. There always is with these new HomeKit devices. $50 for each switch and you're meant to put one on all your electronics to truly automate your home. $50 for every device in your house, potentially for every light.

Just like with the Hue lights. Those things cost a fortune and you need a bunch of them to be worth while.

I was just looking at getting something like this for a few of my plugs, but I was rather thinking that would mean a little remote. For this price, I can't see myself getting iOS enabled anything for a while!
 
lowercaseperson said:
http://avi-on.com

This is a much simpler, elegant system in my opinion. An excellent way to update old houses without hiring an electrician to tear your house apart.
Click to expand...

I guess you work for Avi-on. I just visited their site. The main page is all useless market speak with no details.
There is some information in their video. But the only real advantage of something like this is if you need to add a switch (although you can do it cheaper with Belkin's Wemo if you know anything at all about connecting a light switch).
For that purpose, Avi-on seems reasonable.

But, as I said, you can buy a Wemo switch or their smart LEDs for a bit cheaper than this.
 
TallManNY said:
More trouble than it is worth, for now. But they will undoubtedly make an Apple Watch App that does this. So you won't be reaching for your phone you will be reaching for your wrist. Touch wrist, bring up Siri, issue command, done.
Click to expand...

If that was the entire package, sure. But even the oldest and most primitive home automation systems are less about turning a light on or off without getting out of your chair than they are about programming schedules for your home. I've been using an ancient X10 system for this for years, for so long that much of it is broken down now. The added advantage of net enabled automation is remote control, as in, when you are not even home.

The price is steep though. This stuff should get much cheaper in time.
 
lowercaseperson said:
http://avi-on.com

This is a much simpler, elegant system in my opinion. An excellent way to update old houses without hiring an electrician to tear your house apart.
Click to expand...

Only difference between what they're doing and what everyone else is, is they're using bluetooth. Everyone else is using wifi, z-wave, or some proprietary protocol.

Their lighting solution = buy one of their battery powered smart switches and pair it with one of their smart bulbs. That's overkill. You can do the same thing by just buying a smart bulb.
 
Laird Knox said:
SmartThings does seem to require a controller.

WeMo advantage: Open source, initially more options.

HomeKit advantage: Lots of support behind it, eventually will have many devices that integrate with each other.

I believe that in a year or two HomeKit will really shine. The current integration you see with Apple has slowly grown over the years. The way the phone, tablet, TV and computer work together has improved since the first remote app for the iPhone. This will only get better and include HomeKit. There are a lot of companies announcing support for HomeKit.

Yes there are lots of options. For me, I am tired of tinkering with everything and like the direction the Apple ecosystem is gelling. I have other projects I would rather tinker with. ;)
Click to expand...


Liquorpuki said:
This is what I wanna know too. I could see Siri integration being a big deal but other than that, it seems more of a branding thing. Biggest problem with the home automation market right now is it's fragmented and HomeKit just adds another proprietary connection.

I'm using a SmartThings hub and the best part of it is the support for Z-Wave and cloud devices via SmartThings Labs. Once you pick your hub, it's all about retrofitting your house with sensors, switches, etc. Sensors and switches are all third party equipment that Apple is probably not gonna make. It be nicer to have Z Wave or cloud integration so if you have Hue lights or a Dropcam you can still connect to them.
Click to expand...


Agreed. Just work lol. We'll never achieve scalability unless we can just plug in a device, and a prompt shows up on the phone automatically saying something like "setup" or "name new plug" and thats it. Auto detect the room through Wi-fi mapping via the WiFi Slam acquisition a couple years ago. Direct over Wi-fi, no controllers, no mess etc.... It's gotta be really really easy, that has to differentiate us from the other standards, or I really don't see most people even bothering with smart home devices. :apple:
 
Man there's some negative people on here... you do realize this is just another natural step in the 'convenience' direction right?

It's like the argument of a watch... "LOL TO LOOK AT THE TIME, JUST PULL OUT YOUR PHONE INSTEAD, $300 SAVED."

or a remote start for your car "JUST WALK 30 FEET OUTSIDE AND START IT YOURSELF IDIOT, $500 SAVED"

or even a universal remote control "WHY WOULD I BUY A UNIVERSAL REMOTE WHEN I CAN JUST HAVE 3 REGULAR REMOTES NEXT TO EACH OTHER"

and the hundreds of other examples.

I'm all over this Switch Smart Plug. When I'm in bed I feel exchausted from the day, lazy, and I do not want to get up for anything. I'd love to be able to go "Hey Siri, turn off lights".

It's like a Smartwatch. Sure it's not that big of a deal to take your phone out of your pants to read a message... but boy is it nice glancing at your wirst instead.

I'm sure some good jokes could come of this too with roomates/friends/family... turn off/on lights/tv/appliances randomly, or have a scene from The Ring show of that creepy girl, and have the TV Turn on out of nowhere, etc.
 
I really like the direction it's going. I can see myself going this route in a year or so. I would like to see actual wall sockets that can be controlled without overriding easily at the socket (kids rooms, and outside receptacle). Wouldn't want the whole house that way, but I could use it for special applications. The rest of the house would conventional sockets.
 
yay

Just what we need; more proprietary home automation protocols and devices that don't interface with other proprietary home automation protocols and devices. Yes. We are truly living in the Internet of Things. :-/
 
For all that are confused why you need this. You don't. If you have the money and think it'd be a nice addition to the house, by all means buy it. I would buy it if it meant I could be in bed and turn on/off the lights.

Also, it'd be fun to plug something loud into this thing and from another room scare the demons out of some unlucky bystander haha
 
justperry said:
Yup, better than:

Get your iPhone out of your pocket.
Unlock iPhone.
Look for HomeKit app.
Open Homekit.
Search for the switch.
Switch on/off.

:eek:
Click to expand...

Also lets you know if you left the lights on so you can shut it off remotely

Better yet, hook up a lamp to it and program the switch to turn off the lamp when you leave the house

Hook up a coffee maker to it. Program the switch to turn on at 6 AM M-F so your coffee is brewing when you wake up
 
Sayewhat said:
iDevices like this are the lazification of America.
Click to expand...

The main thing I use my home automation system for is to make it appear to anyone who's walking/driving by my house that we're home so that if someone is looking for a dark house to break into, they'll keep going past mine. Also, my wife never has to walk into a dark house which makes her happy. I can set the schedule for individual lights to be varied so that no one would suspect that the system is automated.
 
It's all very well saying people have no imagination if they can't see past it just turning a bedside light on; then why doesn't the promo video illustrate something a bit darn more interesting to get our juices flowing? It's woeful!
 
Liquorpuki said:
Also lets you know if you left the lights on so you can shut it off remotely

Better yet, hook up a lamp to it and program the switch to turn off the lamp when you leave the house

Hook up a coffee maker to it. Program the switch to turn on at 6 AM M-F so your coffee is brewing when you wake up
Click to expand...

It's a lot of money for mundane things, but if you are really into it (as in, you're probably a super nerdy futurist) then it's worth it. As a super nerdy futurist, some of the mundane things I've setup are turning on the lights when one enters a room. If it's after dusk, turn on the lights but not full brightness. If it's the middle of the night, only turn on some lights and keep them as dim as possible.

Entering the bathroom between 6am and 7am? Assume one is getting ready for work and begin playing NPR over AirPlay and start the coffee pot. Bring lights up to 100% over half an hour.

It's a surprisingly limited limited world. "Home Automation" sounds like your laundry is washed and folded and robots dust the cabinets but it's really just turning lights on and off and playing media in a super nerdy way. Maybe if you're fairly affluent you have a system that turns on the sprinklers or opens the blinds in the morning. I'm not sure if it'll really catch on in the mainstream anytime soon (as in, within 10+ years) or if it even should. It definitely won't as long as the market remains fragmented with a million different systems that don't work with each other.
 
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