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CES 2023: Aqara Announces Video Doorbell G4 With HomeKit Secure Video and Smart Lock U100 With Apple Home Key Support
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A lot of us are still patiently waiting Aqara, maybe next year!I would *love* to replace my Ring system. I have SO many Ring products and I'm just not a fan (just my opinion) of 1) Amazon owning them and 2) no HomeKit integration. But ... more than that I'm just not sure any other platform is as technologically mature or solvent. These startups are fine but — personally — I'm concerned for how battle-tested they are (security, encryption, data storage, etc.) and how sustainable their business model is (peace out in 2 years w/ no funding or enough consumer traction).
I have a Ultraloq deadbolt that has physical buttons as well as fingerprint and oldschool key. The fingerprint is VERY nice. Only had thing is my fingerprint sensor just failed just outside warranty at just over 1 year. They replaced the face of the lock that includes the fingerprint sensor as a courtesy which is good but it makes me wonder how reliable these sensors will be when exposed to string UV and other weather.
No, A HomeKit that doesn't suck is the key to non-annoying home automation. Presence is an important sensor, but none of it works if the basic machinery is fscked up the way HomeKit is (terrible scripting language, no error detection, logging, or debugging, frequent inexplicable failures for Automations to launch, etc).
Presence (of an adequate sort, better than motion detection anyway) was provided by Hiome and it worked well for my needs (not perfectly, but well enough). Unfortunately Hiome seems to no longer be with us as a company.
But yes, I am pleased that there's finally an alternative solution for presence detection. However let's see how reliable it is before celebrating...
Installing a chinese brand doorbell means the chinese government may watch your guests. Horry story.
Some of the announcements still may be a "go."
Zigbee is a local protocol. I use Aqara sensors (including the FP1 radar sensor) with great success with my Hubitat hub (which is a local hub, internet not required).
Local…. I’ve heard that word before. Looking at you, Eufy. Along with military grade encryption, etc. I will truly never believe a thing a tech companies any days in the future about security. They can literally say whatever they want, regardless of the truth. …looking at you again, Eufy.
If I have to connect to a server in China to download firmware updates or unblock China to use it, I will never use them. China can kiss my American white a** lol
Can't wait to order the presense sensor. I've been avoiding getting the FP1 because I didn't want to order through the only available source up to this point. And now they have a new version. I'll be watching Amazon closely to get in on the first batch. The sensors with millimeter wave technology are way better for completely automatic light control around the house.
Aqara uses seperate servers outside China for those of us not living in that country.
What’s wrong with your Ubiquiti? I love mine. App is a little rough though. Not trying to fight you here, genuine question.
You know, branding something as "G4" is probably not the best way to market to Apple users who have been around for while. 🤷♂️
Why are you looking to drop your G4? Lack of native HomeKit support? If so, have you tried Homebridge?
Don't recommend it. It's OK at best. I used Homebridge to link 2 of my ubiquiti cams and it wasn't as good as native HK. My entire network is Unifi though and I'll never switch. So nice!
I say all that because I wanted the G4 Pro but could never get it and honestly don't want to fuss with Homebridge to cobble something together. I want native.
It would be nice for native HK, agreed. I'm gonna keep homebridge for now though, enterprise hardware doesn't get all the home features unfortunately. Now if the early access door lock would release or come back in stock...
I gave up and finally got my G4 Pro off of eBay. It was “only” marked up by about $60 so I pulled the trigger. Been very happy with it. My whole system is Unifi as well. Very happy with it.
These products are tempting… but I will not buy anything from this Chinese company. Can’t trust them.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but buying products by Chinese companies is worse than buying products by Amazon.
I think this need WAY more attention - Aaqra is really teh good guys ! once more they come with what i want !
I have the Aqara camera hub g3 - witch integrate into Homekit, this is REALLY nice.
and FINALY a doorbell on batteries, how hard was that - I do not have old wiring running to my front door, and i do not (and my wife do REALLY NOT WANT) to put a hole in the wall.
and a lock that goes over the top of my normal lock, and have homekit.
unless the doorbelle and the lock are priced really high i will be getting this.
also the indoor radar thingy... I have a felling that this is a gamechanger for Automatization - But i cant really put my finger on it yet... but I have this feeling that this is how it was supposed to be. if the Fall detection is any good i think this could be a very nice, thing where elders can be safe without a camera monitoring them.
I have the Aqara camera hub g3 - witch integrate into Homekit, this is REALLY nice.
and FINALY a doorbell on batteries, how hard was that - I do not have old wiring running to my front door, and i do not (and my wife do REALLY NOT WANT) to put a hole in the wall.
and a lock that goes over the top of my normal lock, and have homekit.
unless the doorbelle and the lock are priced really high i will be getting this.
also the indoor radar thingy... I have a felling that this is a gamechanger for Automatization - But i cant really put my finger on it yet... but I have this feeling that this is how it was supposed to be. if the Fall detection is any good i think this could be a very nice, thing where elders can be safe without a camera monitoring them.