Eve Debuts New Thread-Enabled Light Switch, Outdoor Cam, and MotionBlinds Options

[MacRumors]

HomeKit accessory maker Eve Systems today added several products to its smart home lineup. The Eve Light Switch with Thread support, which debuted in Europe last April, is set to expand to North America in October.

Eve Light Switch joins 14 other Thread-enabled products, all of which will also support smart home standard Matter when it launches in the fall. The third-generation version of the Eve Light Switch is able to replace both single-pole and 3-way switches to allow for smart lighting solutions for any lighting setup. Eve Light Switch is able to serve as a router node in the Thread network, interacting with and supporting other Thread devices.

In Europe, Eve is also introducing new options for the Eve MotionBlinds, offering motors for Venetian blinds and Honeycomb shades in addition to the existing motor for Roller blinds. Eve MotionBlinds for Venetian support tilting and lifting wooden and aluminum blinds.

Also exclusive to European customers, Eve is debuting the Eve Shutter Switch, a controller that's designed to work with motorized roller shutters and blinds. Eve Shutter can convert an existing in-wall shutter switch into an automated shading solution.

Finally, Eve is introducing the Eve Outdoor Cam in white, adding to the existing version that comes in black. The Eve Outdoor Cam is otherwise identical to the original, offering HomeKit Secure Video capabilities with end-to-end encryption and live and recorded video.

Eve Light Switch will be priced at $50 when it launches in October, while the Eve Outdoor Cam will be available in December for $250. The Eve Shutter Switch will also launch in November in Europe and it will be priced at 100 euros.

Article Link: Eve Debuts New Thread-Enabled Light Switch, Outdoor Cam, and MotionBlinds Options

 

[mystery hill]

I’d like a thread enabled smart button that’s powered by kinetic energy and doesn’t require batteries.

Something like the Philips Hue Tap.

 

[mystery hill]

I think having a logo spoils the light switch.

 

[FanaticalMacEvangelist]

I wonder if this third generation of Eve's light switch will still require a neutral wire. It would be nice to have a hubless alternative to Lutron switches.

 

[Jamie0003]

Will this new version be released in the UK? The previous one was too limited and did not work with two or three gang switches

 

[mystery hill]

I wonder if this third generation of Eve's light switch will still require a neutral wire

It does require a neutral wire (according to the The Verge)

 

[Yvan256]

Is it impossible to cameras that are both non-wireless and non-battery-powered, or am I missing something?
I'd like to see single-cable, PoE security cameras. It's too easy for someone to use a device to interfere with wireless signals. Local on-board storage is useless if the cameras are stolen.

 

[zv470]

As far as I know cameras are not part of the initial Matter spec. So I’m interested how these will work.

 

[richie510]

I think having a logo spoils the light switch.

That is just a snap on cover plate. This is a light switch so it is compatible with regular decora screw on cover plates. I do not use any of the branded cover plates that come with my smart switches and instead use an off the shelf, $0.50, screw on cover plate.

 

[uptownnyc]

Is it impossible to cameras that are both non-wireless and non-battery-powered, or am I missing something?
I'd like to see single-cable, PoE security cameras. It's too easy for someone to use a device to interfere with wireless signals. Local on-board storage is useless if the cameras are stolen.

Nest outdoor cam is wired USBC but it's not natively compatible with Homekit and doesn't support HomeKit Secure Video.

 

[mystery hill]

As far as I know cameras are not part of the initial Matter spec. So I’m interested how these will work.

This is just a new color of the existing camera. It will still only support HomeKit.

 

[antnythr]

So I’m in the Apple ecosystem now, but I want to make sure that new smart devices I buy going forward are compatible with everything so if I ever stop buying Apple products that things will continue to work.

I’ve seen that a number of products have been released lately as being Thread supported products, such as in this article, but is this what I’m waiting for? Or do I specifically have to wait for ones marketed as Matter compatible?

 

[mystery hill]

I’ve seen that a number of products have been released lately as being Thread supported products, such as in this article, but is this what I’m waiting for? Or do I specifically have to wait for ones marketed as Matter compatible?

All of Eve’s thread-enabled accessories will receive a firmware update to support Matter.

 

[MrCubes]

So I’m in the Apple ecosystem now, but I want to make sure that new smart devices I buy going forward are compatible with everything so if I ever stop buying Apple products that things will continue to work.

I’ve seen that a number of products have been released lately as being Thread supported products, such as in this article, but is this what I’m waiting for? Or do I specifically have to wait for ones marketed as Matter compatible?

If Matter compatibility is important to you then you should wait for the ones that specifically mention Matter - preferably once Matter is already released and the products have been tested with it.

By contrast, the Nanoleaf Essentials bulbs have Thread support, but Nanoleaf are now saying they will not be upgradable to support Matter. So it's not a given.

 

[murdoc2k]

If Matter compatibility is important to you then you should wait for the ones that specifically mention Matter - preferably once Matter is already released and the products have been tested with it.

By contrast, the Nanoleaf Essentials bulbs have Thread support, but Nanoleaf are now saying they will not be upgradable to support Matter. So it's not a given.

I'm a bit confused. I have the Nanoleaf Essentials bulb and I purchased it because I thought thread and matter were the same thing; but it looks like this is not the case. Can you explain the difference between thread and matter?

I thought the whole idea of thread/matter was supposed to offer a lightweight and robust protocol to allow super low latency meshed communication between smart devices? Why is there a distinction for 2 protocols that do the same thing on top of divisive eco-systems among Google, Apple, Samsung, and Amazon?

 

[braket]

I believe Thread is the low-energy wireless and mesh network technology, and Matter is the protocol for smart home client devices that will finally allow interoperability between Apple Home, Alexa, Google, etc.

 

[MrCubes]

I'm a bit confused. I have the Nanoleaf Essentials bulb and I purchased it because I thought thread and matter were the same thing; but it looks like this is not the case. Can you explain the difference between thread and matter?

I thought the whole idea of thread/matter was supposed to offer a lightweight and robust protocol to allow super low latency meshed communication between smart devices? Why is there a distinction for 2 protocols that do the same thing on top of divisive eco-systems among Google, Apple, Samsung, and Amazon?

Pretty much as @braket said - they operate at different levels. Matter works *over* Thread. It's the application layer. It's much closer to HomeKit (indeed, parts of HomeKit are a part of the specification - contributed by Apple - although HomeKit will be reworked in terms of Matter).
I'm no expert, though. If you Google around there are plenty of good explainer articles.

 

[antnythr]

Pretty much as @braket said - they operate at different levels. Matter works *over* Thread. It's the application layer. It's much closer to HomeKit (indeed, parts of HomeKit are a part of the specification - contributed by Apple - although HomeKit will be reworked in terms of Matter).
I'm no expert, though. If you Google around there are plenty of good explainer articles.

So it's something along the lines of "All Matter devices use Thread, but not all Thread compatible devices are Matter devices"?

 

[lazyjj1]

Does anyone know if these have dimming capabilities?

 

[walstib]

Thanks, but no.

I've had too many Eve devices fail to even think about considering buying more.

But I'll be interested to see how these work for folks.

 

[codywallis]

All we need is a basic, generic lightswitch that looks and acts like any standard lightswitch, AND connects to your smarthome. Why does every new smart switch keep reinventing the wheel that was already perfected decades ago?

 

[HylianKnight]

I think having a logo spoils the light switch.

Unless you need/want to use the frame, then the logo won’t be an issue.

 

[_Spinn_]

Finally! I've been waiting for them to update the switch to support Thread. The 3-way support is a nice surprise as well. Can't wait to pick up a few of these.

 

[dubiousgif]

For $10 more the Wemo dimmer with Thread is a better buy unless you need three-way. The latest Wemo devices are exclusively through the Home app—no more stupid third-party app or account shenanigans.