CES 2021: Arlo Highlights Touchless Video Doorbell and Essential Indoor Camera, Adds HomeKit to Wired Doorbell

[svanstrom]

Aqara and other companies sell homekit enabled buttons that you could just use outside, and they even advertise them for this purpose.

No…

Happily I went to the Aqara website, and even ignoring that they seem to require a hub there this:

There are currently several products that support push notifications in Aqara products. They are: Door and Window Sensor, Motion Sensor, Vibration Sensor, and Water Leak Sensor.

So no, they don't have a simple button that can trigger a HK notification.

 

[Digital Dude]

Does the Essential Video Doorbell support HSV now or just HomeKit?

I like this no touchy' doorbell, provided the build quality is there. Currently, I have the NEST doorbell, and it's just OK. It wasn't the easiest to set-up, and the reliability is iffy. The module that connects to your existing hardwired chime is flaky at best. I'm embarrassed to report that I had to hire to sort things' out. The guy installed several different brands and said they all have low-quality internal wiring. They can fail randomly and mine was no exception.

 

[nate13]

No…

Happily I went to the Aqara website, and even ignoring that they seem to require a hub there this:

So no, they don't have a simple button that can trigger a HK notification.

Huh I could’ve sworn on an Amazon listing they had it but looks like your right. Might be something you can configure with homebridge or shortcuts then? 🤷🏼‍♂️

I agree with your frustration that there’s not more solutions, however from running Homebridge for the last year I’m encouraged with all of the community development and problem solving that is still possible within HomeKit. You could likely find a solution for (nearly) exactly what you want using various hardware and configuration options, or even program your own. Or you can wait for someone to make exactly what you want.

Hopefully the standardization of the home protocols (especially with things like Thread to end the need for hubs) we will see more products covering more use cases... until then, best of luck on your HomeKit setup 😎

 

[svanstrom]

Huh I could’ve sworn on an Amazon listing they had it but looks like your right. Might be something you can configure with homebridge or shortcuts then? 🤷🏼‍♂️

I agree with your frustration that there’s not more solutions, however from running Homebridge for the last year I’m encouraged with all of the community development and problem solving that is still possible within HomeKit. You could likely find a solution for (nearly) exactly what you want using various hardware and configuration options, or even program your own. Or you can wait for someone to make exactly what you want.

Hopefully the standardization of the home protocols (especially with things like Thread to end the need for hubs) we will see more products covering more use cases... until then, best of luck on your HomeKit setup 😎

I used to have my own system coded from scratch before HK; but I've switched to HK just to avoid having to invest my time in coding and updating my own solutions all the time.

It's a simple button, and a simple notification; and I just don't get why we can't chose ourselves when what triggers a notification.

Like a parent might want to get a notification if their kid (or a thief) switches on a light in the middle of the night; but nooooo… that's not possible, because you have to get the special sensor-line of products to get a notification, and a button just isn't a sensor… because… Apple says that home automation doesn't work that way.

 

[cknibbs]

Just HomeKit from what I'm seeing. Arlo would *never* give up an opportunity to charge you a monthly subscription fee!

Arlo Ultra vs Logitech Circle, in homekit, there is no comparison - event recording, notifications, and time to load a video stream with Logitech is WAY better. Often times Arlo doorbell would ring, it would take 20 seconds to connect, by that time the person was gone or door was already answered.

Arlo is merely adding low hanging features they should've had for years as a publicity stunt at CES.

Yeah - unfortunately Logitech decided to not sell the circle doorbell in Canada.

 

[Marli]

I have Arlo products.They are absolute rubbish.. just Google them.. Rubbish Hardware, Rubbish architecture, rubbish platform. Rubbish solution.

 

[MarkAtl]

I have Arlo products.They are absolute rubbish.. just Google them.. Rubbish Hardware, Rubbish architecture, rubbish platform. Rubbish solution.

Their cameras and lights work well for me, it’s their pricing and plans I’m not happy with.

 

[Marli]

Their cameras and lights work well for me, it’s their pricing and plans I’m not happy with.

Their hardware is OK, its just let down by constant buggy updates that stop them working.. and like you say, the plans, pricing are absolutely criminal.. basically overlaps into fraud..