I have the 4 but am not sure it will be compatible. Ecobee listed only one model and one firmware version, which could indicate that only the most recent ecobee will get this update. Time will tell, I guess.
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Ecobee's SmartThermostat Gains 'Hey Siri' Support With Free Software Update Rolling Out Now
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My ecobees allegedly support alexa with a mic and speaker, but I never set it up because I don't use Alexa. Looking forward to using Hey Siri.If you have Alexa built-in then you have at least an ecobee 4.
Setting up and using Alexa with your ecobee thermostat
This FAQ page is a great starting place for your Alexa-related questions. Please read to learn how to link and unlink Alexa to your ecobee device, which ecobee devices have Alexa Built-in and other FAQs, and for basic troubleshooting support.support.ecobee.com
I have the Ecobee 4. I turned the Alexa speaker off a long, long time ago because it was less than ideal. The microphone didn’t always respond and the speaker quality is really bad. I went out and bought an Echo dot instead.
I would love to download Siri, but I need a HomePod? Seriously? Not an Apple TV? Then what’s the point? Why don’t I just buy the HomePod and use it instead? This makes no sense at all. I’ll just keep the microphone turned off and keep using it as a regular smart thermostat. A smart speaker built in was a good idea, but was poorly executed.
I would love to download Siri, but I need a HomePod? Seriously? Not an Apple TV? Then what’s the point? Why don’t I just buy the HomePod and use it instead? This makes no sense at all. I’ll just keep the microphone turned off and keep using it as a regular smart thermostat. A smart speaker built in was a good idea, but was poorly executed.
Siri could always do that. The new feature is that the thermostat itself will now be capable of listening for your “hey Siri” and then routing your command over WiFi to a HomePod that executes it.
Sounds like the perfect "middle man".
User: Hey Siri, set temperature to 75 degrees
Ecobee: I can't do that, but homepod can, let me forward you there.
HomePod : Telling ecobee to set temperature to 75 degrees.
User's response.. If you can't do it, why the hell did you answer? Why didn't I talk to the homepod directly?
User: Hey Siri, set temperature to 75 degrees
Ecobee: I can't do that, but homepod can, let me forward you there.
HomePod : Telling ecobee to set temperature to 75 degrees.
User's response.. If you can't do it, why the hell did you answer? Why didn't I talk to the homepod directly?
I applied for the beta with my ecobee 4 and was told only the newest generation ecobee with microphone, sometimes called the Ecobee 5, could get the new feature.
That sounds right. I have an Ecobee 4 and was looking if I can do this and the Ecobee site says you must use the Ecobee with Voice Control, which appears to be the official name of the latest thermostat. Nothing about Ecobee 4.
Because they are forcing you to buy a HomePod... at least that's what I understood from reading the article.
Why does it need a HomePod to activate? My iPhone, iPads, AppleTVs and Macs all have Siri already.
If this is true, then Apple is full of it.
Yeah, it's a little more expensive model. I got that one. But now Apple wants us to buy a HomePod too? Better not!
I have this thermostat and haven't enabled Alexa because, just like Google, Amazon data mines *everything*. Now if Siri is enabled, and it's Apple receiving the transmission, then that's a different story (security wise). So my question is this - will Apple be directly receiving my verbal queries or is it funneled through some other 3rd party first?
From Ecobee’s press release:
”An Apple HomePod mini and an iPhone with iOS 15 or later are required to enable Siri on SmartThermostat. Customers can also connect to and control the SmartThermostat using the Home app.”
Actually, I think it would be more like this:
User (talking to the Ecobee): Hey Siri, set temperature to 75 degrees
Ecobee (silently): Hey, HomePod, what did this user ask me to do?
HomePod (to Ecobee, silently): Set temperature to 75 degrees
Ecobee: Done.
User's response: Thanks!
😉
Honestly, I wouldn't at all be surprised if that was the real rea$on. It looks really dumb though considering the ATV 4K also acts as a HomeKit hub, has a much more powerful processor, and is the newer product. I've been saying they need to launch an ATV with HomePod-like functionality, meanwhile this is a step backwards from that.
Is the ecobee4 compatible with this? How do we get the update or is there a guide?
edit: nope. https://support.ecobee.com/s/articl...oice-control-ecobee4-ecobee3-lite-and-ecobee3
edit: nope. https://support.ecobee.com/s/articl...oice-control-ecobee4-ecobee3-lite-and-ecobee3
I have two Ecobee 4 thermostats. Came here to get confirmation that this feature is NOT coming to ecobee4 model? Which in my opinion is BS! Does seem like the feature is only coming to "Ecobee with voice control" which as far as I understand is for all intents and purposes is Ecobee 5. If I'm wrong, please someone correct me.
Thanks for the link. I have an ecobee4 and was thinking it would get this upgrade.
Even so, I can easily control it with Siri now, as others have noted, since it integrates with HomeKit and can be controlled using the Home app or voice control with a HomePod (or iPhone or iPad, I suppose?). It's not a big deal to me that I can't use the ecobee's microphone - I disabled it from the beginning anyway, since I don't use Alexa.
edit: by the way, the ecobee website no longer shows the ecobee4 as being available. They have the ecobee3 lite and this newer SmartThermostat with voice control, which is obviously the replacement for the ecobee4.
Anyone know what firmware version this comes into?
I think it’s fair that they only support the latest device. They are allowed to differentiate different products and their features and considering that the ecobee4 came out over 4 years ago it’s not unheard of to only support newest devices. In terms of requiring a HomePod, I believe that is because of the intercom feature which doesn’t come with Apple TV.
I am personally concerned that as soon as I turn on the microphone (I have mine disabled) that ecobee will be doing more than just sending audio to HomePod. Also out of all my homekit products, ecobee thermostats often have a homekit disconnected issue and the last firmware in the summer broke homekit automations.
I think it’s fair that they only support the latest device. They are allowed to differentiate different products and their features and considering that the ecobee4 came out over 4 years ago it’s not unheard of to only support newest devices. In terms of requiring a HomePod, I believe that is because of the intercom feature which doesn’t come with Apple TV.
I am personally concerned that as soon as I turn on the microphone (I have mine disabled) that ecobee will be doing more than just sending audio to HomePod. Also out of all my homekit products, ecobee thermostats often have a homekit disconnected issue and the last firmware in the summer broke homekit automations.
That's what I was wondering? Perhaps this allows the process to remain local rather than get round-tripped to the Siri-server farm.
“… you’ll need to unlock your iPhone first.”
Bought one of these earlier in the year when my wife and I bought our first house together but it's seemingly incompatible with our air conditioning equipment. I even went up into the attic to try to splice in their adapter but I was met with a rats nest of cables and I didn't want to mess with anything to cause any issues.
I'll probably try again someday and just spring for professional installation in the process.
I'll probably try again someday and just spring for professional installation in the process.