Ecobee's Smart Security System Now Works With Home App and Siri

[MacRumors]

Ecobee this week announced that its Smart Security home monitoring system now works with Apple's Home app, across devices like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

This integration allows you to view and change modes (Stay, Away, and Disarm) directly from an Ecobee smart thermostat's tile in the Home app, or by using Siri voice commands on an iPhone or iPad. You can also create HomeKit automations (such as "arm at 10 PM, disarm at 7 AM"), and receive push notifications for mode changes.

Ecobee's Smart Thermostat Premium can act as a security hub, eliminating the need to buy a standalone home security device. The thermostat can be paired with Ecobee's cameras and sensors, providing you with alerts for unexpected motion and entry, reminders to arm your home, smoke alarm detection, and more. In the U.S., Ecobee's Smart Security plan costs $5 per month, or $10 per month with 24/7 professional monitoring.

Ecobee's smart thermostats already worked with Apple's Home app for non-security features.

Article Link: Ecobee's Smart Security System Now Works With Home App and Siri

 

[smithrh]

Like Ecobee (or at least have liked them), but this is just a money grab.

 

[tennisproha]

Looks like you still need to subscribe to their monitoring service to enable the security options so it's another required subscription when it could easily be a separate add-on.

Considering how expensive their sensors are, they aren't that well integrated into the Apple Home app. They have to be added via the ecobee app so aren't open to other devices in HomeKit.

Good hardware that's unnecessarily locked down. And most of all, they are Matter over Thread capable but ecobee refuses to activate it.

 

[JM2]

I had an Ecobee... worse thermostat ever - it was off +/- 6 degrees at times. And yes I know there is an calibration adjustment but when one hour its +4 and the next hour its -2 that doesn't help. I went back to an old fashion dumb thermostat and we are finally comfortable again. My brother has owned two Ecobees and he raved about them, but my experience was very disappointing.

 

[mybodywatchdev]

Should've put a camera in the thermostat... even my cats smart feeder has a camera.

 

[alexandr]

— There's an intruder in your house.
— Turn the heat to 300° and fry that mother...

 

[phrehdd]

— There's an intruder in your house.
— Turn the heat to 300° and fry that mother...

and here I wanted him frozen in his tracks...go cold to -300

 

[alexandr]

and here I wanted him frozen in his tracks...go cold to -300

 

[randyharris]

Looks like you still need to subscribe to their monitoring service to enable the security options so it's another required subscription when it could easily be a separate add-on.

Considering how expensive their sensors are, they aren't that well integrated into the Apple Home app. They have to be added via the ecobee app so aren't open to other devices in HomeKit.

Good hardware that's unnecessarily locked down. And most of all, they are Matter over Thread capable but ecobee refuses to activate it.

I don't find the sensors all that expensive, especially considering they are both open/close AND motion sensors.

The alarm subscription isn't required, but it is to get alerts.

All in all looks good to me, I ordered the package with the Premium thermostat, wired doorbell, (2) window/door sensors, and it comes with a year of alarm monitoring service, $389 total. Also ordered (2) more window/door sensors on Amazon.

Ironically I just recently replaced my Nest thermostat with an ecobee but the Enhanced version, the Premium is the better option for going with their security system. Now I know...

 

[Woodcrest64]

"Siri, turn on air conditioning"

Siri : "Turning on furnace to 120F, locking doors, arming alarm system and playing The Heat Is On” by Glenn Frey (1984) on Apple Music.

 

[AdamoWoboros]

I love my ecobee thermostat and my parents love theirs too. The sensors are pretty good. My only issue was the camera, it was terrible. It rebooted and/or went offline constantly and woking with support got me nowhere, which i feel was strange because the thermostat support has been amazing. I have all aquara cameras and door sensors now. Love em.

 

[budselectjr]

I'm not a Ecobee security customer but have a thermostat and with Apple Home you can build some pretty nice automations which would cost you the price of a Control4 system in most cases. Running automations off room temp, time of day, people at home, door contact status, motion, smoke. Pretty powerful when talking about lighting and motorized shade automations.

 

[loopy123]

I had to wire an ecobee into an old furnace with electronics from what looked like the Apple II era😄 and their support was fantastic. They looked at photos and walked me through it-I was very impressed with the level of post purchase support.

 

[tennisproha]

The alarm subscription isn't required, but it is to get alerts.

So then it does require a subscription, given the main function of a security system is alerts.

They could've easily exposed all the sensors and cameras to Apple Home, giving us full control over some pretty good Matter over Thread sensors. But they chose to lock them behind a paywall.

This is why I'm glad Apple is planning to launch their own cameras and sensors.

 

[randyharris]

So then it does require a subscription, given the main function of a security system is alerts.

They could've easily exposed all the sensors and cameras to Apple Home, giving us full control over some pretty good Matter over Thread sensors. But they chose to lock them behind a paywall.

This is why I'm glad Apple is planning to launch their own cameras and sensors.

Obviously this isn't a solution for somebody who doesn't want to pay the subscription, this is less than I was paying for our old school alarm monitoring so maybe I am just desensitized to it, but I think the amount we save on our home owners insurance mostly offsets the alarm monitoring fee, so I see it largely as peace of mind, and a cost wash.